INTRODUCTION:
I heard a story about two men who were asked to read Psalm 23. The first one, who was an orator, stood in front and started reading. He read with so much voice technicalities. As if you are listening to a drama on the radio. He knew when to pause, when to read faster, when to soften his voice and when to speak louder. In short, he read the passage really well. And the people gave him standing ovation when he finished.
Then came the second man’s turn. He stood in front and started reading. But unlike the first one, this man had no background in public speaking. He just read the passage calmly yet with deep emotions. After he read, no one applauded. Everyone was just silent and in deep meditation.
After a short while of silence, the first man stood up again and said, “Do you know how the two of us differ? I… I know the Psalm, but he… he knows the Shepherd.”
[PAUSE FOR A FEW MOMENTS AND PRAY]
I know a certain pastor. And to many of us, pastors are the ones who are well versed with the Bible, the ones who use the Word of God to encourage people, the ones who stand strong even in the midst of trials, the ones who have a very strong faith, or the ones who would never give up on life.
But I found out that this pastor that I know of, recently thought of actually giving up because of the overwhelming trials. This pastor came to a point when, yes, the Bible was still an everyday companion, but unlike before, the words became empty and lifeless when this pastor reads it.
BODY:
Our passage today talks about the Good Shepherd. And I would like all of us to reflect and ask ourselves, “Do we know the Good Shepherd?”
One way to find out if we really do know the Good Shepherd is to assess our own lives. Does it reflect who the Good Shepherd is? That we do not only know Him in our heads. And that we do not only say that the Good Shepherd is Jesus and He is the second member of the Trinity that is why the Good Shepherd is God. But more like, can our lives actually be a living definition of who the Good Shepherd is?
So, in today’s passage, what characteristics of the Good Shepherd can we see? And in response to these characteristics, how do we see our lives, if we are claiming that we are one of the sheep, the one who are believing in the Lord Jesus Christ?
1. SHEPHERD: SELFLESS
Firstly, the Good Shepherd has the characteristic of selflessness.
According to what I have read about sheep, many are saying that sheep are prone to danger. They do not have the capacity and the ability to defend themselves from wild animals who would come to attack them. They are helpless. So, a shepherd, who is good, will never let his sheep get attacked by stronger animals. He would rather get hurt or even be killed for the sake of his sheep.
Just as like how humankind was on the verge of death because of our bondage to sin. If there is no one to defend us or no one selfless enough to sacrifice for us, the danger would surely come chasing us.
The Good Shepherd claimed these words three times saying, “…I lay down my life for the sheep.” Just as how Jesus selflessly sacrificed His life for us sinners. And that is not because we did something worthy of His death. But only because He is Good. He selflessly sacrificed for our salvation.
Can we see how selfless he is? The shepherd’s sheep can never pay him with anything in return. But still, because he is good, he was willing to lay down his life for them.
SHEEP: HOPEFUL
Now, what does this characteristic of the Good Shepherd mean for the sheep? Because of the selflessness of the shepherd, the sheep can have hope.
Those who are claiming to know the Good Shepherd should reflect a life full of hope. Hope for what?
a. Hope that through Jesus’ selflessness, those who will believe in Him will have a life eternal. And…
b. Hope that whatever hardships and pain you are going through in this world right now. They will end when Jesus Christ comes again. And this is a promise. Unlike humans, He certainly keeps His promise. That is why He rose again from the dead because He will come again.
So, do we see ourselves living with so much hope despite the pain, the sufferings or even having a tiring life to live? Do we sometimes forget, when we are overwhelmed by this world’s chaos, that Jesus Christ died and rose again on the third day? That He selflessly sacrificed His life to bring about salvation to humankind… Do we only feel hopeful during the Lent and Easter season? Does our hope fade away after the season passes? Friends, how true is Jesus’ death to you? How true is Jesus’ resurrection to you?
2. SHEPHERD: RELATIONAL
Secondly, the Good Shepherd is relational.
When we ask our country’s President for a deep talk over a cup of coffee, do you think he would agree? And if ever he does agree, do you think you can talk to him and pour out your emotion, then expect him to show care for you? We may think that yes, he does care for us since we are citizens of the country he is leading. But… I don’t think we will reach a point of having a much deeper relationship with him. Other than he, being the president of our country, and us, being his citizens.
Well, the Good Shepherd is not like that! He cares for you! Because of His selfless sacrifice, there was a broken relationship that was mended! Relationship that was once cut because of our sins and transgressions. He is the Good Shepherd who wants a relationship with you!
In verse 14 He said, “I know my sheep and my sheep know me…” Us, not being able to see Him or have coffee with Him, does not mean that He is far from us. He is watching us and He is wanting to hear us. So, what does this mean for the sheep?
SHEEP: CONVERSATION
Because the shepherd is relational, the sheep can converse with him.
Whatever you are going through right now, the Lord wants you to talk to Him. When there is a relationship, communication is necessary. Always talk to Him! Brothers and sisters, God listens to you, God knows you, He even knows the number of your hair, and He knows every single detail of what is happening to you. And most importantly, sacrificing His Son for your sake means that you are important to Him. Tell him everything that you feel. He should be the one you are closest to! He should be the first One you run to when you need someone to talk to. Tell him about your struggles in your family, your job, even the struggles you have within you, as well as your decisions. Talk to him.
In other words, PRAY… PRAY… PRAY.
So, as sheep of the Good Shepherd who is relational, do we find ourselves deepening our relationship with Him through conversations? Through prayer? How true is it to your life that God wants a deep relationship with you?
3. SHEPHERD: GOOD KEEPER
Lastly, the Good Shepherd is a Good Keeper.
I also read that Shepherds, in the ancient time, sleep in front of the pen’s door. This is to make sure that the sheep are safe. The Good Shepherd keeps the sheep away from danger.
Who has tried riding on a roller coaster? I feel like riding a roller coaster imposes a great threat to my life. Safety gears like seatbelt and other paraphernalia are there to ensure one’s safety. So that you will not fall when the coaster starts moving… turning… going faster and faster… going up… and going down. However, even though you have all those safety gears wrapped around you, the ride will still be the same. The roller coaster trail will not be straightened up. It will still have twirls and curls, ups and downs. How horrifying! Yet, you still somehow feel safe because you know your safety is ensured by the seatbelts buckled up around your waist and other safety gears to keep you from falling.
In life, we face so many threats every day. Threats to our finances, in our family relationship – marriages breaking up, children and parents fighting, in our jobs and in all other aspects of our lives.
Having a shepherd to sleep in front of the door of the pen does not mean that the ferocious animals will stop attacking the sheep. Just as like how we cannot assure a life that is without any threats, without any pain, without any suffering when we are under the care of the Good Shepherd. We are still not exempted to the threats of life.
Most of us are experiencing these kinds of threats in life. But despite the danger, knowing that our Good Shepherd is a Good Keeper, how should we, as sheep, respond?
SHEEP: DEPENDENCE
Because the shepherd is a good keeper, the sheep can depend on him.
Without us knowing, the enemy is already using our hurts, tears and struggles to destroy our relationship with the Lord. Sometimes, because of too much fear and anxiety, we are making our own moves as to how we can escape. And we make moves depending only to ourselves, looking only at what we can do. So, what happens? We give up. We give up on our family, we give up on our jobs, we give up on ourselves, and sometimes, we give up on life. We tend to forget that we should be depending on God and not to ourselves.
The Lord is reminding us today, hold on and depend on His might, not on your own. Depend on His faithfulness and not on the lies of the world.
Now, as a sheep, do we find ourselves depending on the Good Shepherd at all times?
CONCLUSION:
We have come to the realization that knowing the Good Shepherd entails a response from His sheep. We said that, because the Shepherd is selfless, the sheep can have hope, because the Shepherd is relational, the sheep can converse with him because the Shepherd is a good keeper, the sheep can depend on him.
Every characteristic of the Good Shepherd should reflect in the lives of His sheep. After we have been reminded by all these, I would like to ask you again, do you know the Good Shepherd?
I have a secret to tell. The Pastor that I was referring to at the beginning of the sermon is, none other than, myself.
Recently, I have been through a great trial. It might be because of too much responsibility that is placed on my shoulders. Not only as a pastor, but also as a daughter to my mom, as the eldest to my sisters, as a scholar of Barker Road Methodist Church, and as a friend to my friends. I came to a point when I forgot that I, myself, was also a sheep who needed care from the Good Shepherd. My overwhelming struggles overpowered the truth of the goodness of the Shepherd in my life. There were many times that I forgot to depend on Him because my mind always thought that I am the one they needed to depend on. So, I got frustrated, exhausted, and too much hurt until I reached my limit and I just felt like giving up.
But God is indeed Good! When that time came when I was on the verge of a cliff, about to fall like a sheep without a shepherd, God pulled me and reminded me of who He is. Just as like how He is reminding all of you today through this message.
The Lord is the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for His sheep, the Good Shepherd who wants you to talk to Him, and the Good Shepherd who keeps His sheep under His care.
If you are claiming to know the Good Shepherd and that you are one of His sheep. Go live your life with hope, deepening your relationship with Him and depending on Him. Amen.
