May 3, 2009 Sermon
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Easter 4 - B
Allan Conkling May 3, 2009
With today's readings we move beyond the empty tomb and the events of the first Easter day. In the face of rejection and threats the by the same leaders who had put Jesus to death, the small group of believers began to go forth and proclaim a new message of hope: Christ is alive! Because of their boldness and conviction we are here this morning. Their message became "the old, old story" we tell to this day of this remarkable man.
The Good Shepherd is one of the most endearing images of that we have of Jesus. It is certainly the most universal in its appeal. To say that Jesus is the good shepherd is but another way of saying that in Christ is found the sure and certain way to the heart of God: We are the "Flock". Ministers are his "Pastors" and "Shepherds". As a congregation we are called to do "Pastoral Care"; bringing people "into the fold". Christ laid down his own life for his sheep.
As a child growing up in the Episcopal Church I cut my teeth on the words of the Venite, sung by the choir and people at Morning Prayer:
"O come let us worship and fall down, and kneel before the Lord our Maker. For he is the Lord our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand..."
And the Jubilate:
"Be ye sure that the Lord he is God; it is he that has made us and not we ourselves; we are his people and the sheep of pasture."
It sounds funny to say it, but being raised in the city that was about my only contact with sheep or shepherds, at least until I came to San Angelo.
I heard someone say once that they wished Jesus had used a different image, like perhaps a dog, instead of a sheep to describe Christians. Dogs are obedient, and loyal to their masters. Dogs follow directions. Sheep I am told are not smart. They don't follow commands and scatter when you try to herd them. Sheep are good for wool, veal cutlets, and "mutton busting" at the rodeo but not much more. If only Jesus had said, "My dog hears my voice. I know him and he knows me." Then we might know how we are supposed to act. Perhaps that would have been more precise.
But Jesus didn’t say that. Jesus didn’t refer to his flock as loyal pets, as obedient animals or brave protectors of the household. He called us sheep. Not very obedient, not very loyal; skittish, in need of a shepherd.
"We are his people and the sheep of his pasture."
From the very start Jesus taught that he had come not just to the few the chosen; not to the most faithful or the most loyal; but to everyone. According to the Gospel there is a place for everyone under the watchful eye of the gentle shepherd. In a heartening phrase to many of us, Jesus also says:
"I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice."
Jew or Greek, slave or free, of any culture, class, race, status or gender. As the children sing, "Red and yellow, black or white, they are precious in his sight."
The Good News for this day is that there is a God who beckons each one of us to hearken to his Voice. No one is ever forced to respond to the Voice, but grace, compassion, joy and the promise of life eternal abound for all who do. The Christian faith offers meaning and purpose in communion with God and in community with others of the flock. And the sheep fold is very big.
One more point: It has been said that the power of this passage is in the present tense: "I am the Good Shepherd." "The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." When placed alongside that other promise of hope, the 23rd Psalm, you have a gift to all generations: "The Lord is my shepherd..." Our Shepherd. Here and now. Not, "the Lord will be my shepherd," or "the Lord was a shepherd a long time ago." The deepest desire of this shepherd's heart is to guard and preserve the well being of the sheep, even you and me today. The message for this Day, for this Easter Season, and for every day is that in the Resurrected Christ is found true joy and a sure pathway to God, which we as his flock may follow. In good times and in bad, this Shepherd is with us. May God give us open and willing minds and hearts to hear this Gospel, and open hands to serve all of God's Creation.
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Revised: 05/11/09