Hey person, I’ve been really good all week. I didn’t dig up any seeds, but no trees have grown for me to leave messages on.
Maybe some other dog dug up that mustard seed that Jesus planted when I wasn’t looking.
You’ve got a new story to tell me?
But I’m still waiting for that mustard seed to grow.
Okay, I’ll listen.
***
The Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem had come and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
***
They could have just read the Bible to find out.
I am listening.
***
Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.”
***
Jesus has sheep? I didn’t know He was a shepherd. I thought He was a carpenter.
I’m listening, but I just want to know where the sheep come in.
***
Jesus continued, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”
***
Okay, so Jesus’ Father got tired of being a carpenter and became a shepherd and then He gave the sheep to Jesus and went back to being a carpenter. I’m all confused.
What? Jesus had two fathers? I give up.
***
The Jews picked up stones to stone Jesus, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?”
***
Oh, now I get it. I think. There’s the miracle Father and the carpenter father. But how come Jesus got so lucky to have two fathers?
If I listen will this make sense?
***
“We are not stoning you for any of these,” replied the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”
***
This story is really confusing. First there’s an extra father, and then the Jews want Jesus to tell them something and when He does they want to stone Him.
I don’t think I’d be telling the truth if it meant someone was going to stone me.
***
Jesus answered the Jews, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are gods’? If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came – and the Scripture cannot be broken – what about the one whom the Father set apart as His very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? Do not believe me unless I do what my Father does. But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”
***
That’s too many big words for me. I think I’ll just go chase the sheep.
***
Again they tried to seize Jesus, but He escaped their grasp.
***
Hey Jesus, wait for me! I think I found one of your sheep.
bongodogblog 
marina kanavaki
November 3, 2013 at 12:25 pm
Yep, following Him is your best choice, Bongo!!! He’ll appreciate you finding his sheep too! 🙂 Think of all the loves you’ll get! 🙂
Bongo
November 3, 2013 at 1:27 pm
Marina, my person goes out looking for His sheep sometimes but she never takes me along. I don’t get it. I think I could chase those sheep down better than she can.
stanze
November 3, 2013 at 12:45 pm
There could be some translation errors in the story. After all it wasn’t written in English at first. As far as the sheep are concerned, you’re obviously not a sheep. I understand your confusion concerning the fathers of Jesus. Maybe he was adopted.
Bongo
November 3, 2013 at 1:31 pm
Stanze, my person is trying to straighten me out but now I’m more confused. She says we all have a father here on earth and another Father in heaven. And she says we are adopted into God’s family but Jesus wasn’t – He was already there. If God adopted me then I must have been double adopted because my person adopted me too.
stanze
November 3, 2013 at 1:33 pm
One could say you are like Jesus, having two fathers. 😉
Andrea
November 3, 2013 at 12:58 pm
Looking forward to hearing more!
Bongo
November 3, 2013 at 1:32 pm
Thanks Andrea. My person tells me Bible stories every Sunday.
Shu Olessya
November 3, 2013 at 1:57 pm
Thank you so much.
shuolessya
November 3, 2013 at 1:58 pm
Thank you so much. Olessya
Bongo
November 3, 2013 at 2:23 pm
Any time, Olessya.
Patricia
November 3, 2013 at 2:15 pm
Well, Bongo, I think you are one of Jesus’ sheep dogs. You do take care of your person and she is one of His sheep.
Bongo
November 3, 2013 at 2:23 pm
Patricia, wow – I’m a sheep dog. I like that.
Sheryl Wright Stinchcum
November 3, 2013 at 5:59 pm
The Feast of Dedication (Chanukah) coincides with Thanksgiving this year. I am thankful for you, Bongo. Blessings to you and your person.
Bongo
November 3, 2013 at 8:20 pm
It’s early this year. Thanks and happy Feast of Dedication.
Sheryl Wright Stinchcum
November 4, 2013 at 5:00 pm
Thank you, Bongo. I’m learning about the Feast of Dedication. I’m not sure why it’s called a “feast” because it’s not about food–although children eat those yummy chocolate (gelt) coins during Chanukah. Sadly, chocolate is not good for dogs. Sorry. By the way, I came across some shoes labeled “Bongo” shoes. Did you know that a company named their shoes after you? You’re famous.
Bongo
November 4, 2013 at 6:16 pm
Sheryl, I think they turned most of their holidays into feasts back in Jesus’ day. They were probably pretty hungry after travelling all the way to Jerusalem. It always bums me that I’m not allowed to eat chocolate. Guess I’ll just have to put on my Bongo shoes and tromp away.
eripanwkevin
November 4, 2013 at 7:48 am
I wonder why those jews are so suspicious about who Jesus is? Because they are not Jesus’s sheep? Hmmm…very confusing…
Bongo
November 4, 2013 at 1:37 pm
Kevin, the Jews in the story didn’t like Jesus because He claimed to be God and He wasn’t anything like what they expected the messiah to be. And they were also jealous because people were following Jesus because of the miracles He did instead of following the religious leaders.
snoopys@snoopysdogblog
November 4, 2013 at 7:59 am
Sheep? Did someone say Sheep? Do they need herding? I’m on my way! 🙂
Hope you’re having a fun day 🙂
Your pal Snoopy 🙂
Bongo
November 4, 2013 at 1:38 pm
Snoopy, we definitely need to to help herd some sheep around here.
colliesofthemeadow
November 25, 2013 at 10:14 am
Jesus is cool.. we love him! Wait… did you mention sheep? We are on our way!
-the collies
Bongo
November 26, 2013 at 11:54 am
Collies, you’d better hurry. I heard there were 99 sheep somewhere that no one is paying attention to.