The clock is my dictator, I shall not rest.
It makes me lie down only when exhausted.
It leads me into deep depression.
It hounds my soul.
It leads me in circles of frenzy, for activities sake.
Even though I run frantically from task to task, I will never get it all done, For my ideal is with me.
Deadlines and my need for approval, they drive me.
They demand performance from me, beyond the limits of my schedule.
They anoint my head with migraines,
My in-basket overflows.
Surely fatigue and time pressures shall follow me
All the days of my life.
And I will dwell in the bonds of frustration
Forever
Contributed By: Merv Budd
This time of year it seems we are dictated by the clock at work and at home. We are busy with the holidays and shopping. Let’s stop for a moment this morning and spend some time with the good shepherd.
Jesus has been revealing himself as being one with God more boldly. He has been using the Hebrew name for God in reference to himself. He has declared himself to be the sustaining Bread of Life, the glowing Light of the World, and the secure Gate for the sheep.
It is while He is still standing in the green pasture that He makes his fourth declaration. John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.”
Jesus states that He is the better, most excellent shepherd, a claim that only He can make. He is proclaiming to be a greater shepherd than Abraham, Moses, or David. He is informing the crowd that all though these fine shepherds gave their lives to carrying for the sheep, they never actually died for their sheep. The better, most excellent shepherd will soon physically die for his sheep.
When David wrote the 23rd Psalm, he prophetically illustrated the beauty of the good shepherd.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.” As much as I love you guys, I cannot be your good shepherd. Only Jesus can fulfill that role. While it is true that I have been commissioned to pastor (shepherd) you, I too am just a sheep. Jesus is our shepherd. And because of that, our needs are met. We are fed his word. He tends to our wounds.
“He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.” Green meadows are a picture of tranquility. In times of stress He encourages us to rest in his presence. He desires for us to be still and listen to his voice.
He also leads us. He does not drive us or push us. We are not to be performance driven to gather favor with our good shepherd. We are simply called to follow him.
When we follow him, we find peaceful streams. Sheep will drown in swift running water. Their wool is like a sponge and will weigh them down. The good shepherd finds still water so the sheep can drink without fear.
“He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.” The good shepherd loves his sheep and renews them daily. He is not critical but rather affirming. He does not discourage but rather encourages. He does not condemn but rather instructs. He does not curse them but rather blesses them. He does allow the wolves to devour them but rather protects them. He does not allow them to scatter but rather seeks them.
He guides us along the right paths so that we can bring honor to his name. If what we are doing does not bring honor to his name than we are no longer on the right path and we need to call out to the good shepherd who will rescue us.
“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.”
We have the comfort of knowing that in the darkest valleys of our life, our good shepherd is still beside us, leading us out. He has promised never to leave us or forsake us. We have the promise of his rod, not to beat us but to protect us from our enemies. We have the promise of his staff with a hook on the end as an aid to pull us from the pit when we fall into one.
“You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.” Today the good shepherd has prepared a feast for you. I asked the Holy Spirit to remove the stones and thorn bushes that represent the enemy so that you could feast today.
But you must be willing to eat.
Twice a day our little Yorkie is presented with a feast. My wife prepares gourmet meals consisting of sweet potatoes, rice, split peas, ground turkey, and beef strips. Added to this meal is fresh broiled chicken from the local deli. Quite often, he declines to eat this fabulous meal. We do the same.
Shepherds anointed the head of the sheep with oil and spice to protect them from harmful insects. It proved their value to the shepherd. The good shepherd anoints our heads with oil to give us a sense of worth. How much are we worth? We are worth enough for the good shepherd to sacrifice his life for us. For that, our cup of blessings overflow.
“Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.” We have the promise of the good shepherd’s goodness and unfailing love for as long as we are in the pasture. But we also have the promise of leaving the pasture and finding permanent residence in the house of the good shepherd.
Jesus now shows a comparison between himself and those who do not love the sheep.
John 10:12-13 “A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they do not belong to him and he is not their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep.”
The story is told of a preacher who was talking to the children about sheep. He said that sheep weren’t very clever and needed lots of guidance and that a shepherd’s job was to stay close to the sheep, protect them from wild animals and keep them from wandering off and doing foolish things that would get them hurt or killed.
He pointed to the children in the room, said that they were the sheep, and needed lots of guidance. Then the minister put his hands out to the side, palms up in a dramatic gesture, and with raised eyebrows said to the children, "If you are the sheep then who is the shepherd?" He was pretty obviously indicating himself.
A silence of a few seconds followed. Then a young visitor said, "Jesus, Jesus is the shepherd."
The young minister, obviously caught by surprise, said to the boy, "Well, then, who am I?"
The little boy frowned thoughtfully and then said with a shrug, "I guess you must be a sheep dog."
I have discovered there is a danger to receiving payment for preaching. This past year the church was gracious enough to bless me with a much-needed pastor’s allowance to cover the rent on my home. For the first three years, such a stipend was not necessary due to me being employed. As much appreciated as this has been I noticed for the first time I have allowed myself to become overly concerned about the finances. When it becomes necessary to cut a line item on a budget, the pastor’s salary is the first to go.
This sermon has made me question my role with you. Am I a hired hand that runs when the wolf approaches? Has this become a way for me to receive financial aid or am I caring for you out of love?
I know of two pastors who abandoned their flock because they could no longer be compensated for their time. Their were merely hired hands. When the problems came, they ran. I want to assure you, I am no hired hand. As long as this body can afford to help me financially I will accept it. But should the time come that it cannot do so, then I will find a job and continue to care for you as your pastor.
John 10:14-15 “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep.”
Again Jesus emphasizes the fact that He is the better, most excellent shepherd, a claim that only He can make. He says “I know my sheep and I know my father. My sheep know me and my Father knows me.” The word “know” implies an intimacy of recognition and understanding. Jesus is comparing his intimate relationship with the heavenly Father to be equal to his relationship with his sheep.
