Laying by the Door         

   Without external cause, something happens in the mysterious human brain that steals a person from his or herself. A life becomes a never-never land in which the person doesn't even recognize friends or relatives.

   This isn't dementia. It can happen relatively quick, and it can be reversed ... sometimes ... with medicine, or prayer. We know of a case.  

   One night about bedtime, he vigorously fought attempts to give him a sleeping pill, probably assuming it was harmful. He put on his jacket, picked up his bag and meant to walk into the chilly night.

    A friend laid across the door threshold and tried to sleep. That kept the man safe, until a professional could evaluate.  

    After several days of treatment, the psychiatrist could not make him well. But, glory to God, the doctor could say only that he believed in prayer. The man went home his old self, recuperated and lived many years. 

    Which brings us to Jesus. He taught in John chapter 10 that a good shepherd sleeps by the gate at night, protecting the flock and preventing wanderers from escaping into the chilly night. 

   His disciples were not shepherds, and perhaps didn't think much about sheep pens, openings, or gates, through which a shepherd led his flock out to pasture and returned them at night. 

   Herders named their sheep. The sheep knew their names and knew the voice of the shepherd. Jesus also explained that a good shepherd, as opposed to a hired hand, would lay down his life for his sheep. 

   Tomorrow: The shepherd revealed