Editor’s Note: In this sermon I have taken the interpretation that this pericope has the under-shepherds in mind, rather than individual sheep. The under-shepherds are the ones who go through the door and receive the affirmation from the Great Shepherd. This sermon is about 25 minutes.
Sermon: The Good Shepherd
Text: John 10:11-18, SERMON AUDIO HERE
Pastor Uriesou T. Brito
Text: 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”
Prayer: Lord, you are a God of compassion and of all comfort (II Cor. 1:3). May Your Word and the truth of your tender care for your flock comfort Your people. For this our prayer, O Lord. AMEN!
Sermon: People of God, St. John chapter 10 is a familiar passage to many of us. The imagery of a shepherd caring for his sheep is one we have both heard and seen many times. You may have seen pictures of Jesus holding a little lamb. A quick search on google will show you hundreds, if not thousands of churches in the US named: Good Shepherd. The title is a very appropriate one. Jesus is the fulfillment of the prophetic word in Psalm 23. Jesus is the good shepherd and so we shall not want; Jesus is also the fulfillment of Psalm 80. Jesus is the shepherd of Israel and the shepherd of the re-made Israel of God; He is the shepherd of Jew and Gentile in covenant with Him.
This text presents to us our lovely Lord who is our great Shepherd. However tender the text presents itself, there is still some threatening imagery for us to consider this morning. This is not just about the Shepherd and the Sheep living in harmony, this is also about the hired hand and the wolves that are desperately looking for a succulent meal.
John 10 is relatively in the middle of the gospel. One of the negative aspects of chapter divisions is that we tend to think that chapter 10 is starting a whole new thought, but in reality chapter 10 is closely aligned with the previous chapter. Jesus brings sight to the blind man; He brings light into darkness in chapter 9. The narrative continues in chapter 10 with chapter 9 as a background. In other words, Jesus is the great shepherd who comes as light to bring salvation to His people. The great shepherd will do whatever it takes to protect His sheep. Remember in the garden that Adam shepherded the animals and gave them names. Jesus as the second Adam becomes the One who calls the sheep by name. Jesus is also the greater Moses. Moses was a shepherd for 40 years in the wilderness defending his sheep from the enemies. Jesus defends His sheep from the enemies’ attack. In fact, shepherding is a first step to becoming a king. The first two kings of Israel are shepherds before they become king. We see Saul and David as shepherds before they assume the greatest of all roles as kings shepherding a nation. The role of the shepherd is to lead His sheep into victory; into green pastures. Continue reading “The Good Shepherd; Sermon on John 10:11-18-Fourth Sunday of Resurrection”