This morning we hear the passage in which Jesus tells us that he is the
Good Shepherd, and we certainly have lots of references to sheep. PS – Today is Good Shepherd Sunday The 23rd Psalm that that we just read together also has references to the Good Shepherd and it’s a Psalm that most of us are familiar with. We use it several times a year and we use it at funerals, for words of comfort. My goal this morning is that you to go home today knowing without a doubt, that Jesus is your Good Shepherd and how important our relationship with him is. What is a Shepherd? We all know that a shepherd looks after sheep, but, … what does a typical shepherd look like? In today’s world, shepherds seem to us to be pretty normal people, they wear the same clothes we would wear if we were working in fields all day, ... but this was’nt the case at the time of Jesus, because shepherds were really poor despicable people. They were treated as outcasts, considered unclean. Somewhat like the Samaritan’s. They were in fact nobodies, not wanted nor desired by society, and they certainly were not welcome in most places, they were often unclean, un kept, spending their time in the fields outdoors. It’s interesting that Jesus uses Shepherds, people of low social standing as the chosen people to be his instruments. Maybe that’s a clue for us. And it is truly amazing that God the Father choose shepherds to be the first to witness the light, (the star) and announce the birth of Jesus. You remember the story, from Luke where it says “in that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night”. An Angel appeared to them, and eventually they made their way to the new born savior of the world. So not only was Jesus’ birth humble and in a manger, but the announcement of his birth was also done with humble means by these lowly Shepherds who lived most of their lives in the fields. And when we think about that, it’s really cool … because it seems to be saying that Jesus was so outstanding, that he needed no grand ceremony, no baby shower, no newspaper announcement to announce his presence, ... his majesty was so powerful, it just could not be hidden. And this brings us to our Gospel reading this morning where Jesus boldly says, "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep, ... think about that. Jesus is comparing himself with these unclean lowly outcasts, ... but this time he is saying, … I recognize the good work the shepherds do for the sheep, but I am the shepherd for all mankind. And did you notice that Jesus said three times in this short passage that he will lay down His life for us – his sheep. Jesus wants us to understand how much he loves us ... and he wants us to know that His death is not a victory for His enemies, ... his death was a voluntary sacrifice for us. And to prove that it was voluntary we read of occasions in the gospels where Jesus avoided capture and execution; he knew how to escape, but when his "hour had come", he willing submitted his life for us – his sheep as act of obedience. … Some people think it was Judas, Caiaphas or Pilate who decided the time of his death, … but we know it was God the father himself who was in control. He then goes on to say, "he that is a hired hand and not the shepherd, whose sheep are not his, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and flees: and the wolf catches them, and scatters the sheep”. Jesus is now contrasting himself with the hired shepherds, meaning the so- called religious leaders of the day, who were more concerned about their own importance, ... and how they are seen by society, ... rather than spreading the word of God. This account of Jesus being the Good Shepherd is speaking about relationships, not about sheep and shepherds. Jesus is trying to show us the importance of true, deep and committed relationships. Jesus’ relationship with his flock (us), VS the hired hand (the religious leaders of that time). Jesus who is willing to die for his flock and the religious leaders who will run at the first sight of danger. The religious leaders of that time were arrogant and looked down on the people, … and that is why they became so upset with Jesus because he could see through them The religious leaders weren’t so concerned about the good deeds that Jesus did, or truly what Jesus taught. They were mostly concerned about their own survival. Jesus was cramping their style and possibly their livelyhoods, that’s what was ticking them off. Let’s look at the “Good Shepherd” in more detail, ... because the Old Testament has so many men of God who were shepherds. Abraham, ... Moses, ... and David to name a few, were all shepherds. Look how God used these low members of society to spread his words! Jeremiah 23 says "Woe to the shepherds who destroy the sheep of my pasture says the Lord”. It is you that have scattered my flock and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. So, I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the Lord. Then I will gather the remnant of my flock and bring them back into the fold”. God is speaking through Jeremiah here condemning the false shepherds (those religious leaders of the day), who have scattered His people, … but he then promises that one day He will gather his people like a (Good) shepherd gathers the flock. So, this shepherd thing had been going on for a long time, Jeremiah was written some 600 years before John’s gospel. If we look at Ezekiel 34, it says "As a shepherd seeks out his flock ... that are scattered; so, will I seek out my sheep, ... and I will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered ... And I will gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them". Reassuring words, that though the flock (us), may in fact be scattered, Jesus will gather his flock (us), and feed us. Probably the most familiar, and every bodies favorite Psalm concerning the Good Shepherd is Psalm 23, where we see a picture of Jesus as the ‘Good Shepherd’, ... who seems to do everything. Jesus leads them, ... or us whom we call Lord to greener pastures and still waters. Jesus alone restores our soul and He leads us in the paths of righteousness. … And did you note that at the very beginning of this Psalm the term ‘my shepherd’, the Lord is 'my Shepherd', meaning that the writer of this psalm, probably David, had an intimate relationship with the Lord, ... “my” Shepherd. I’d like to suggest that we should take this opportunity to consider if we can truly say “the Lord is MY shepherd”. When we read this Psalm, are we just reading words or is our relationship with God truly genuine enough to call him MY shepherd? And then in verse 4 there is the protection of his sheep, ... "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me". And do you notice that even while walking through the valley of the shadow of death, the psalmist has no fear because this Good Shepherd is with him and watching over him. Do we have that same sense of comfort? Verse 5 goes on to say, "Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anoints my head with oil; my cup runneth over" This Psalm has a brilliant ending, it says that goodness and mercy will follow us all our lives, and … when we are finished, we will dwell in the house of the Lords forever. Is that not comforting? I did some counting. 5 times in this Psalm is the word “MY” 4 times in this Psalm is the word “I” 8 times in this Psalm is the word “ME” Those are pretty personal words, indicating that when we read this Psalm, it should be personal, not just words. Returning to John , Jesus says, "I am the good shepherd, and I know my sheep, ... and my sheep know me. This is getting deeper now, because Jesus is clearly alluding to the relationship, we have with him. … We are loved individually by the shepherd, ... and that is why He was prepared to lay down His life for us, whether we deserve it or not "The sheep hear his voice, ... and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ... And the sheep follow him for they know his voice. ... And a stranger they will not follow. Clearly, we are being told to establish this relationship Yes, it is difficult, but we must learn to hear his voice. With all the noise in life. Work, cleaning, kids, aging parents and friends, just simply surviving. How do we do that? We do that through prayer, we do that through listening for God quietly, we do that through our actions of giving, of peace, of concern for others. Some of us have time, in which to get involved, some don’t. Some of us have financial resources, some of us don’t, some of us are gifted prayer people, some of us struggle. Wherever your strength is, use it. Be a part of the flock. We finish off this reading with Jesus saying "Therefore, my Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. ... No man can take it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my father. Jesus is again telling us that he will lay his life down for us, ... but this time he adds that He will also lift it up, ... and this is a clear reference to the resurrection. Jesus wanted them, and us, to understand that the cross will be no accident, but part of God’s divine plan; the cross was no defeat for Christ, and the resurrection was no afterthought by God. It could have only be done by the sinless son of God. ... Jesus who was no helpless victim here, ... and that is why he obediently went to the cross and fulfilled the will of his Father, … to restore man’s relationship with God. I therefore can’t emphasize enough our relationship with Jesus, the Lamb of God who took away sins of the world, … so that we may be able to hear his voice, … and answer His call. … So, on this Good Shepherd Sunday, think about your Good Shepherd. Can you say “ The Lord is MY Shepherd”. Not just words Each of us as a community and our loved ones can be re assured by these words – that the Lord will gather his flock together. We are not alone, we are all members of his flock.
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Rev. Dr. Harvey Hill Third Order Franciscan Archives
December 2024
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