Are you familiar with the concept of family resemblance? You look for and expect to see similar features of appearance among those who are blood relatives. This extends to mannerisms and conduct as well, and in the long run this is a more important influence than appearance. Do you accept the Biblical assertion that Adam was made in my image? By inference this would extend to all of his descendants. So, everyone is made in my image. Do you look for this family resemblance in everyone you meet? If you accept this premise, then you should see me in everyone you meet. Do you?

I lamented over the people as being sheep without a shepherd. The structure of the religious organization of the day was not serving the needs of the people. Do you see the same situation today? Do you see the available spiritual resources as adequate for the task? You have more available today than ever before in terms of publications, broadcasts, places to meet, and teachers. In that sense the situation is far different from the time I made the statement. So how can the statement still be true? Do sheep seek out the resources they need for life? How can you be a shepherd?

Do you know who you are? Questions of identity may seem so trivial that people do not bother pondering them. Yet how much of your identity is unique and intrinsic to you, and how much is acquired? You are subject to the influence of your family to begin with, and later from your peers and associations and ideology and schools and organizations and churches, among others. Is your true identity a composite of these things, or is there an intrinsic being underneath them? Can you separate effects to see your core being independently? Do all these associations and influences serve you?

The apostles prayed that they may have great boldness in presenting the gospel message, and they got it. They also got the trials and persecutions that came with that, and they were effective in spreading my message. Do you see the gospel message being proclaimed boldly today? Do you do it? Have you observed this and found it to be annoying? Set apart for the moment the fact that those who preach boldly make themselves outcasts. Is this method effective? Does it gain converts and make them disciples?