Live As Sheep Of The Good Shepherd

It is a tradition that goes back hundreds of years. Christians set aside one Sunday in the Easter Season as “Good Shepherd Sunday.” We can understand why this practice has stood the test of time. Christians love to think of Jesus as their Good Shepherd!

Think of the emotions that a picture like this stirs in a believer’s heart. (Slide of Good Shepherd.) We are moved to remember how Jesus described himself as the Good Shepherd. He laid down his life for his flock. He leads, feeds, and protects his sheep. It puts a smile on our face to think about Jesus in this way.

But sometimes I wonder if we realize what we are saying about ourselves when we say that we are Jesus’ sheep and lambs. Do we really know what it means to be sheep—even sheep of the Good Shepherd? Let’s consider just four points someone has made about sheep. Sheep cannot clean themselves or care for themselves in the most basic ways. Some animals such as a cat or dog can do that. I think we could say that most animals—even birds can care for themselves. But not sheep. Sheep cannot defend themselves from predators. Many animals have a defense system, such as skunks and blowfish, but sheep do not. Sheep cannot find food and water for themselves. Sheep are not intelligent. I suppose we could come up with additional facts about sheep that make them seem even more pathetic. But hopefully those truths have made the point. When we claim to be Jesus’ sheep and lambs we are confessing how helpless and hopeless we are without him. But that’s a good thing, isn’t it?

Today as we recall the beautiful image that Jesus is our Good Shepherd let’s also find reminders about what it means to:

“LIVE AS SHEEP OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD”

I. Hear Your Shepherd’s Voice

II. Follow Your Shepherd’s Lead

III. Enjoy Your Shepherd’s Care

Our Gospel Lesson is taken from what has been called the “Good Shepherd” Chapter of John’s Gospel. In the first six verses of John Chapter 10 Jesus described how he was different from other spiritual shepherds that really don’t love their sheep. Jesus calls his sheep by name. He knows them that well. They listen to him and follow where he leads. John tells us that the people didn’t understand what Jesus was saying. So Jesus changed his metaphor and called himself the “gate” for the sheep. He was describing how he is the only way for a person to be saved. Then Jesus described how he would defend his sheep from whatever threatened them. He would even give his life to save his sheep. It seems like the whole comparison of Jesus to a shepherd and people to his sheep was lost on most of those who heard him. So in our Gospel Lesson Jesus once again stated the basic truths about what it means to live as sheep of the Good Shepherd. Jesus’ sheep hear his voice, follow his lead, and enjoy his care.

I.

So why did Jesus make such a strong point about his sheep hearing his voice? In fact, hear repeated that truth four times in John 10 including in our Gospel Lesson. “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” Sheep had to know their shepherd’s voice and listen to it. It was a matter of life and death. Through the shepherd’s voice the sheep were led and fed. As the sheep spent time with their shepherd they had to learn the meaning of the sounds they heard coming from their shepherd’s mouth. At times his words would have provided guidance as he led his flock to food and water. On other occasions his voice would have been comforting and soothing as he led them to a safe place to rest. Obviously, as the sheep grew to trust their shepherd they would learn to quickly respond to his voice.

If you are one of Jesus’ sheep, then at some point you heard his voice calling you into his flock. Perhaps it was at the time in your life when you were just learning to recognize the voices of your parents. As an infant the Good Shepherd made you one of his sheep through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. Perhaps you heard his call later in life when someone shared Jesus’ words with you from the Bible. At whatever age it might have been, the Holy Spirit opened your ears to the voice of the Good Shepherd and you were led to trust in him as your Savior. All that Jesus accomplished through his perfect life and innocent death was given to you as he called you into his flock. Your sins were washed away. You were redeemed, restored, and forgiven. And you received Jesus’ eternal promise to be your Shepherd.