East4A23.   Acts of the Apostles 2:14a, 36-41.   When Peter spoke to the crowd there saying, “this Jesus whom you crucified,”“they were cut to the heart” that they had done such.  Then “Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” Peter was telling them to ask for forgiveness for their godless ways and be born into God’s way of life in Jesus and receive the Holy Spirit who would enable them to live in God’s spiritual way of life.  Three thousand accepted.

John 10:1-10.  Jesus, the gatekeeper, is the owner who keeps within the gates what is his own.  Those who are his own do not follow anyone else because they recognize the one to whom they belong, Jesus.  “They do not follow a stranger.”  All the gatekeepers, who came before Jesus, were looking out for their own interest and not for the sheep, those over whom they were put in charge.  In a stark contrast, Jesus “came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”

Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul.”

1 Peter 2:20b-25.  “By his wounds you have been healed.  For you had gone astray like sheep, but you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.”  The God who is love cares for us as a shepherd cares for his sheep.