Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

New Covenant Community Begins

⁴² They were devoting themselves to the teaching of the emissaries and to fellowship, to breaking bread and to prayers. ⁴³ Fear lay upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were happening through the emissaries. ⁴⁴ And all who believed were together, having everything in common. ⁴⁵ They began selling their property and possessions and sharing them with all, as any had need. ⁴⁶ Day by day they continued with one mind, spending time at the Temple and breaking bread from house to house. They were sharing meals with gladness and sincerity of heart, ⁴⁷ praising God and having favor with all the people. And every day the Lord was adding to their number^[a] those being saved.

Adonai-Ro-eh

Psalm 23

¹⁹ For this finds favor if, for the sake of conscience toward God, someone endures grief from suffering undeservedly. ²⁰ For what credit is there if, when you sin and get a beating, you endure? But if you endure when you do good and suffer for it, this finds favor with God. ²¹ For you were called to this, because Messiah also suffered for you, leaving you an example so that you might follow in His footsteps:

²² “He committed no sin,

nor was any deceit found in His mouth.”^[a]

²³ When He was abused, He did not return the abuse.^[b] While suffering, He made no threats. Instead, He kept entrusting Himself to the One who judges righteously. ²⁴ He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we, removed from sins, might live for righteousness. “By His wounds you were healed.”^[c]

²⁵ For you like sheep were going astray,^[d]

but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

The Faithful Hear the Shepherd’s Voice

10 “Amen, amen I tell you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber. ² But he who enters through the door is the shepherd of the sheep. ³ To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice. The shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

⁴ “When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them; and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. ⁵ They will never follow a stranger, but will run away from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” ⁶ Yeshua told them this parable, but they did not understand what He was telling them.

⁷ So Yeshua said again, “Amen, amen I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. ⁸ All those who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. ⁹ I am the gate!^[a] If anyone comes in through Me, he will be saved. He will come and go and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal, slaughter, and destroy. I have come that they might have life, and have it abundantly!