AtomThe Good Shepherd speaks into our lives
John 10:1-11
Lesson – Today being Good Shepherd Sunday, the lesson tells us where we can yet hear the Good Shepherd’s voice today. Notice where: Scripture. Prayer. Community. Three remarkable ways in which the Good Shepherd speaks into our lives.
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In the day and age of Jesus, leaders of the people were literally called shepherds. Actual shepherds (like Moses and David) were admired for the positive qualities they exhibited, while Israel’s prophets “lamented” the bad shepherd/politicians who exploited their flock (check out Ezekiel 34, Jeremiah 23, and Zechariah 11). Being a shepherd leader was a term that all would have recognized and understood…especially in light of all knowing Psalm 23!! Thus the Gospel from John 10:
“Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice.
He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.”
Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them.
I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.
I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
This is the Good News, the Gospel of our Lord
Thanks be to God!!
Let’s pray…guided by the Heritage singers in Song…
Video of Song “Gentle Shepherd” – “Love the Harmonies” and “echo” and “message”!!
Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd…”
I talked with a mom who last Sunday, Mother’s day, told me that the mother’s day phone call that came to her said, “Hi mom. Happy Mother’s Day…I’m in jail!”…with the story of being pulled over for a DUI on Saturday night…
And…this wasn’t the first time…
As this mom and I talked…the focus of our conversation became “What will it take for this child of hers to start listening to different voices (Good Shepherd voices if you will): voices that would enrich his life and not seek to destroy it; Voices that would him to make better, healthier choices…voices that seek HIS good and well being…
What would it take to get him away from the voices that he is listening to over the past 30 plus years that have led him into a spiral of self-destruction. And regretfully, we didn’t come up with any solids answers as to what it would take because ultimately, we both know that each person must choose this for themselves: The Good Shepherd doesn’t force himself on anyone!
Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd…”
“I am the gate (the one who guards and protects the sheep). Whoever enters by me will be saved…the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
The contrast to this is knowing, there are SO MANY destructive shepherds out there…calling to the sheep of our day that they are the ones to listen to…claiming that they are the voices that will bring life abundantly. Jesus calls these: false shepherds…Thieves and bandits is the term.
Yet…then, as now, people listen to these bandit voices…they are so attractive…and then give into the temptation to follow them and their advice…over and over again:
I think about the news story that appeared a few weeks ago in the paper: about a group of 11 teenagers in the Twin Cities area who decided to ingest a new “legal” hallucinogen called 2-CE. Before the night was over, one 19-year-old was dead, two more were in critical condition, and several more were hospitalized…all by listening to the destructive voices of those who come as thieves and bandits.
I think about the many people I know who have listened to voices regarding sexual temptation and lost their marriages and their families.
I think about how this current economic crisis got started, because (in simplistic terms) a few too many people made a few too many decisions based on greed.
The list could continue…everyday in many ways: (we just sang “Perverse and foolish oft I strayed”…ALL of us are prone to listening to these “bandit voices”!!)
Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd”…because he KNOWS we are sheep, living in the wilderness of this world and HE KNOWS we NEED a GOOD shepherd who cares for us and knows what’s best for us!!
When Jesus said, I am the GOOD SHEPHERD….he is referring to what a GOOD SHEPHERD DOES…and for this, then as now, we turn to Psalm 23, the Shepherd’s Psalm.
There we read: A GOOD SHEPHERD….
CARES for His sheep…he wants the BEST for them
The shepherd PROECTS them from wild animals in the field ...
The shepherd NURSES AND CARES for them when they are sick ...
He PROVIDES for his sheep…water, oil, food,
Why does the shepherd do this?
Because, they are valuable to him.
I found the following a few years ago…and it has become so helpful to me in understanding the depth of Jesus providing for us today…
A Good Shepherd understands that sheep are afraid of running water because of their heavy wool. Knowing this, he does not take his sheep to a running river or stream for water. Instead, he searches out and guides his flock to a quiet pool where they can drink.
A Good shepherd understands that the sheep can be tormented by parasites and insects. Knowing this, he carries a special oil or ointment to rub on their noses and the insides of their ears. This keeps the sheep from being annoyed by the insects and parasites.
A Good Shepherd understands that sheep are always foraging for food. Knowing this, he searches out green pastures where they can have plenty to eat.
Jesus said, “I am the GOOD SHEPHERD. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
This tells us: Jesus knows our needs. He knows the problems we face. He knows the fears which leave us trembling like little children. He is our Good Shepherd and he understands everything about us…and, this care will never end!! “For I will dwell in the presence of God…FOREVER!!!!”
Another way of saying this is hearing a modern day translation of Proverbs 3:
“Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil!”
There was a MOVIE a few years back about shepherds…a delightful movie…perhaps we can gain understanding about Jesus being the Good Shepherd through this movie. Take a peek!!
Remember – Play video segment…
In a sermon entitled BABE offered by Ann Hafften (graciously sent to me by Ann), Ann wrote:
We have been given many metaphorical images for Jesus, and a pig is not one of them. But Babe does provide some ways of seeing the Shepherd. He is not coercive or violent but loving. He treats his charges with respect, gentleness and love. He treats them as equals. He plunges in and risks his life when wild dogs attack the sheep.
And then…
Babe achieves success as a sheep dog by politely asked the sheep to enter a gate, and then again by asking, “If you would be so kind, would the three ladies with collars on please stand outside the pen?” They oblige the little guy.
Those sheep aren’t so dumb, and we’re not either ... And a good deal more is expected of us than to stand in a pen. We look like sheep. We’re unruly. Like sheep, we pretty much refuse to be gathered or to hear the voice of the shepherd. We run off with those thieves and bandits who are really greed, envy, pride and dishonesty in disguise.
But Jesus knows us by name and knows what we are capable of: love, strength, sacrifice, and above all compassion. This shepherd guides us toward the beauty and fulfillment of being genuinely human and all that God created us to be.
Barb Rossing offers her thoughts in response:
In contrast to the dogs who use domination and ferocity to make the sheep to their will, Babe speaks to the sheep with respect… “If you would be so kind, would the three ladies with collars on please stand outside the pen?” And they do. They hear his voice and they follow him. The dogs, who think the world runs only on intimidation and violence, are shocked and finally converted by the model of Babe’s gentle shepherding.
Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd”…
As you can imagine, it’s been a tough week for the Mother’s Day mom I mentioned earlier as she grieves for a child who is grieving her.
And, while I continue to hope and pray with her, that this son will somehow be opened to hearing the voice of the GOOD SHEPHERD…
Today, I hear the voice of the Good Shepherd Jesus saying to her…and to all of us today:
I AM the GOOD SHEPHERD…for YOU…
in your sorrows and in your joys, in your grieving and in your celebrations!!
Always listen and remember…
I have come that YOU may have Life and have it more abundantly.
Thanks be To God!! AMEN!!
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