Easter 4 / 24 April 2021

1 John 3:16-24; John 10:11-18; Psalm 23 | by Brad Everett |

Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd. There are few texts as delightful to preach on or to hear sermons on, as those with this theme. This morning we are blessed with two of the preeminent Good Shepherd texts, Psalm 23 and John 10.

The 23^rd Psalm is one of the best-known passages of Holy Scripture, and with good reason. Even though few today understand fully what shepherds did or do, we are still able to appreciate the significance of this image. The shepherd who provides for the flock’s every need no matter how large or small. And not simply out of a sense of obligation or duty, but of love and mercy. The shepherd who knows what it is the individual sheep most need and then does everything necessary to fulfill those needs. Granted it may not always be what the sheep want, or think they need, but everything the shepherd does is for the sake of the sheep.

The first verse says it all “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want”. (As you hear or read these verses be sure to make it personal i.e. trust the “my” and “I” aren’t just for the psalmist but that the Holy Spirit who inspired these words meant them just as much for you). To green pastures, still waters, right paths—the Good Shepherd unfailingly leads you. Through the valley of the shadow of death, you need not fear for the Good Shepherd is near to protect and comfort. Even when you find yourself in the midst of those who would cause trouble, you are provided for, and abundantly. Finally, the promise that staying near the Good Shepherd, his goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life—life that is eternal, allowing you to dwell in his house and in his presence forever.

There is a reason this psalm is found on so many pictures, coffee mugs, pillows and blankets, and why it shows up more often than not in some form at funerals and memorials. These six verses clearly proclaim in such a gracious way, God’s love and presence with us, and with those we love—a message we all need to hear and want to hear regularly, no matter if we are in mourning or a non-descript Sunday service.

Today’s gospel takes the message of Psalm 23 and expands on it. Jesus is speaking to a mixed crowd—some are opponents, some are followers and some aren’t sure one way or another. Trying to describe his mission, Jesus uses the image of the Good Shepherd, to illustrate his relationship with those he loves (and remember he loves everyone). The imagery is explicit, unlike the hired hand who cuts and runs at the first sign of trouble, the shepherd, our Lord who knows his sheep, willingly lays his life down for their sake. He stresses that no one forces him to lay down his life, nor does anyone or anything take it from him but he lays it down of his own accord and by the will of the Father has the power to take it up again. He does this, not for his own sake, or even for the sake of a select few, but for all who would hear and follow him.

Were we able to truly hear, to internalize the truth of these passages we would be at perfect peace. Jesus, who has power over sin and death, exercises that power willingly and lovingly every moment for our sakes and our salvation. Just as a good shepherd would never leave the sheep to fend for themselves, or to try and make their own way, neither will Jesus leave you. As you follow him, trusting in his love and mercy, he will take care of you in every conceivable way in this life and the next. You literally have nothing to worry about.

And yet this isn’t the end of it. In his epistle, St. John takes what he wrote in the Gospel and elaborates further on what it means for us that Jesus the Good Shepherd. Some may have heard Psalm 23 and the passage from John 10 and assumed that followers of Jesus were intended to simply coast through the rest of life—Jesus as the Good Shepherd took care of everything so there was little or nothing to do. But that’s just not the case.

We are loved for a purpose—that we might love others as Christ has loved us. That having received the Good Shepherd’s all-encompassing love and care which provides for our every need, we can be conduits of that same love for those around us. As it says in the first verse “We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us”, i.e. we “know” in two senses, first, Jesus’ actions illustrate for us what love looks like, and then by his having done this we personally experience for ourselves the power of this love.

Because of this we are called to lay down our lives for one another—to love others as Christ has loved us. In this way God’s love abides in us—we love as Jesus loves.

This love isn’t just about thinking warm thoughts or saying kind phrases (which have their place), but acting on them. It’s not just talking but doing. This could feel overwhelming, until we remember our Good Shepherd has freed us by his love for just this life. Because he is already providing for us, we are freed and able to love in this manner—we don’t have to worry about taking care of ourselves, because he’s already taking care of us.

Further, St. John says, living in this way provides us with reassurance of God’s presence with us. The only way we can hope to live and love in this manner is by Christ’s gracious presence in and with us. When we lay down our lives for others we are assured it is God’s love working in and through us.

Even so, the language of “laying down our lives for one another” may strike us as being more than we can handle. While we don’t want to water down Christ’s command here, what if we were to strive to fulfill his command as he guides—not as we might speculate?

So maybe Jesus isn’t calling you to literally give up your life for the sake of another, but how is he asking you to lay down your life, your wants, wishes, desires or comfort for the sake of someone else? What action is he leading you to take that someone else may experience the love of God?

Instead of psyching yourself out speculating on what Jesus might ask you to do, focus instead on what he is actually leading you to do. Remember, sheep are called to simply follow the shepherd—they aren’t called to blaze their own trail, plot future paths or figure out the schedule concerning the green pastures and still waters. They are called to follow where they are led, trusting the shepherd will assist as needed. They are called to exercise the gifts they’re given, i.e. the green pasture and still waters enable them to follow. So too the gifts we have been given, the Sacraments of Holy Baptism and Holy Communion enable and empower us to follow where Christ leads and to love as he loves us, not just in word or speech, but in truth and action, literally living out his love, that we might know that love even more deeply as we do.

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Pr. Brad Everett

Calgary, AB, Canada

e-mail: everettsts@gmail.com