John 10

Lately we have studied John chapter 10, considering the impact on our lives of Jesus as our Shepherd. In that study and in the context of the world events, I’ve seen things in the chapter that I had not seen before.

In verses 1, 2, 5, 8 & 10. There is a warning that there are thieves.

There are people or powers who would lead away the children of God. I’m sure Jesus is talking about false pastors or false religion or in the immediate context he is probably talkin about the Pharisees.

I believe that warning could be applied and extended today to, of all things, our media.

There may be in some of our media a sincere effort to keep us informed and to help the nation, but for the most part it seems obvious that the media is after power and money. What is called “the news” in our country has grown into a power seeking, self-serving preacher.

The news media has long been in their minds the “fourth estate”. In other words, they have elevated themselves to the same level as the Supreme Court, the President and the Congress.

And lately, as far as I can see, they consider themselves the only estate. They plan that the other branches of public service should bow down and cowtow to them. If a leader takes a position opposite the opinion of the media they are scorched for it by obviously biased reporting.

Anyway, what I’m getting at is, in my opinion, we need to be careful where we spend our worship. People don’t think of the time they spend watching the news as worship. They think of it as getting information.

But I ponder: how much information do I really need? Is this information doing me any good? Is anybody really going to call me from Washington and ask me my opinion on something. And what is this information fed to me six or eight hours(or more) a day doing to my soul and Spirit?

Where we spend our time and put our attention, and what we allow to affect our feelings and faith is worship. Most folks certainly aren’t spending an hour or two a day in communion with God. By God’s command we should be ceaselessly in prayer or communion. Certainly hours spent in front of the news interrupt that communion at the very least and destroy it at the very worst.

I don’t mean to go on too long with the false worship idea but it is interesting to me that we would be studying that part of John 10 during this time of international crisis.

I can see the potential of propaganda in this “preaching” and I can sense the fearful response of the people who stick with the “reports” of the media.

Based on my experience it is possible to watch almost no news and still stay informed. You see headlines, people call you and talk to you about things. It is not necessary to sit in front of the TV or to welcome this kind of fear-mongering into your home for hours at the time.

Instead, I want to spend my time seeking my shepherd, moving close to him, sensing his care and his touch for me. And in that worship choice, finding myself in green pastures, beside still waters, fully restored in my soul, and walking in paths of righteousness.