Meeting Jesus Week Three - Jesus the Good Shepherd: John 10:11-18
At St John’s in our weekly worship, we are exploring a series called “Meeting Jesus.” The idea is that for the season of Easter, when we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus, we take time to look closely at who Jesus is and how we might meet Jesus afresh in Scripture and at work in our lives.
This week, we are exploring John chapter 10, where Jesus is described as the good shepherd.
As I was preparing this week, I came across this little clip that really captured for me the heart of what it means to be a sheep…
While this is funny it is also tragic, and true. If we are honest with ourselves we can be a bit like the sheep in this video. A little helpless, getting ourselves into trouble, and in need of more than a little help.
Perhaps that is one of the reasons that this metaphor about God as a shepherd of the sheep seems to still work for many people today, even townies like me who have never shorn a sheep in their life.
For farmers, I am sure the connection is even more palpable.
I’m amazed at how frequently I am requested to read Psalm 23 to people.
Often and especially during times of crisis, when people are sick or dying.
The words of Psalm 23 have proved a deep and profound comfort for many.
Psalm 23 says: (NKJV)
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.
These words speak to our souls, whether we are sheep farmers or not because they speak of a God who enters into the darkness, trouble, and pain of life. They give words of hope and comfort.
Security and fear
One of our primary human needs is the need for security.
We hope to live in spaces and places where we are safe, sheltered, and can live peacefully.
From a young age we learn to fear that which can disrupt this.
It’s natural and normal to be afraid.
In fact, there are certain things we should be afraid of in order to survive – like poisonous snakes, falling from a something very high, a large mammal with sharp teeth – that kind of thing.
However, there are other fears that seep into our day to day lives that aren’t so pressing or immediate but nonetheless real and can take a hold of us.
Personally, there are multiple things we might be fearful of – failing at our work, not having enough money, relational conflict, getting sick or someone we love getting sick.
Living now in a time of a global pandemic, many are particularly fearful about their health – and with good reason.
Not only this, but we live in politically unstable and volatile times on a global scale.
Throw in the fact that we are also facing climate change, and a host of social and economic issues, it is not surprising that some academics and theologians talk about how we live in a “culture of fear.”[1]
It’s in this context that we meet a God who is presented to us as a shepherd. A God who comforts and brings direction, and provision and peace.
One commentator, talking of Psalm 23 speaks of how revolutionary and refreshing this notion is in today’s pessimistic, fearful, and anxious world. He says:
“Over against that ocean of fear, the biblical God gives the revolutionary word, “Fear not.” Because we have a powerful shepherd. Sure, we pass through the presence of enemies (Psalm 23:5). But the shepherd is so calm that he does more than hurry past danger. He lingers amidst it, prepares a fine table in its midst, invites us to dine.”[2]
Notice the valley of the shadow of death, and the danger itself isn’t denied by Psalm 23. The promise isn’t a magic genie to remove suffering or a tonic so that we can turn a blind eye to it or pretend it doesn’t exist. Psalm 23 speaks of a shepherd who is with us in the valley and who gives us hope at the other end of it.
As we turn to today’s Gospel reading, we see Jesus borrow this image of the shepherd and apply it to himself.
As he does this, we learn more about who Jesus is and how he enters the spaces where we find ourselves deeply afraid and lost.
Jesus the good shepherd vs the hired hand.
Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd.”
The word good here is important.
The word good is a bit plain in English. But the word here for ‘good’ can also be interpreted as ‘beautiful’, ‘noble’, ‘honourable’, or ‘ideal.’[3]
The Bible gives examples of both good shepherds and bad shepherds.
King David is presented as a “good shepherd.” In a conversation with Saul in 1 Kings, David says: “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth.” (1 Kings 17:34-35)
David is a good shepherd because he takes care of the sheep, even in the face of danger.
We also see that the Bible presents to us bad shepherds.
Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Ezekiel speak of the failure of Israel’s leaders to care for and lead the people – using the metaphor of bad shepherds.
Isaiah 56 says:
“They are shepherds who have no understanding;
they have all turned to their own way,
each to his own gain, one and all.” (Isa 56:11b)
Jeremiah 23 says:
“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord. 2 Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people: “You have scattered my flock and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for your evil deeds, declares the Lord. 3 Then I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. 4 I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares the Lord.” (Jer 23:1-4)
So, in Scripture we see good shepherds – like David who cares for the sheep even in the midst of danger. And, we see bad shepherds described by the prophets as those who only look after themselves at the expense of the people.
A similar notion is put forward here in Jesus’ teachings as he describes the good shepherd and then the hired hand in contrast.
The hired hand runs when he sees the wolf coming. As soon as there is danger the hired hand bails. This is because the hired hand doesn’t care about the sheep or know them intimately, but rather is in it for the pay check. The hired hand doesn’t love the sheep.
In contrast when danger arises, the good shepherd doesn’t run, but rather stays to protect the sheep. Even more surprising, the good shepherd goes further than we might reasonably expect a shepherd to go.
Jesus repeats a phrase several times in this story about the good shepherd.
Jesus says, “the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
What does the good shepherd do? The good shepherd lays down his life.
In this passage we see one of the most profound explanations of what Jesus’ death was all about.
Jesus runs into danger on our behalf to rescue us, his sheep. He takes on the greatest enemy of them all – sin and death, and in his sacrificial death breaks their power so that we might be free and so rescued from them.
Jesus is both the good shepherd and the sacrificial lamb at the same time.
He, lays down his life for the sheep. This was Jesus’ vocation to bring rescue to humanity....
Isaiah 53 describes with prophetic beauty and clarity what Jesus accomplished on the cross, saying:
Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:4-6)
Jesus was willing to lay down his life for the sheep – for you and for me.
As we meet Jesus in John 10, we discover that he is compassionate, that he is good, and we also see him speak of the sacrificial love he would show on the cross.
In the face of fear, we have a good shepherd.
Psalm 23 isn’t just a nice pep talk or some words to get us through.
Psalm 23 points beyond itself to Jesus – God with us. THE Good Shepherd.
The comfort we can have and the hope we can have in the midst of global fear and our own personal fears, is that we have a God, in Jesus who is good, and who is with us, and who offers us hope beyond whatever crisis we find ourselves in.
Pastor Tim Keller, who was Pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian in New York and a prolific writer, has recently published a book on resurrection hope. It’s called “Hope in Times of Fear: The Resurrection and the Meaning of Easter.”
It’s a great book, and what I found so profound about it is the context from which Tim has written it.
In past year or so, Tim Keller has been given a terminal diagnosis. He has pancreatic cancer. So, he has found himself in his own personal valley of suffering and facing death.
From this context, and knowing the hope that Jesus offers, Keller writes this:
“But when the object of hope is not any human agent but God, then hope means confidence, certainty, and full assurance (Hebrews 11:1). To have hope in God is not to have an uncertain, anxious wish that he will affirm your plan but to recognize that he and he alone is trustworthy, that everything else will let you down (Psalms 42:5,11, 62:10), and that his plan is infinitely wise and good. If I believe in the resurrection of Jesus, that confirms that there is a God who is both good and powerful, who brings light out of darkness, and who is patiently working out a plan for his glory, our good, and the good of the world (Ephesians 1:9–12; Romans 8:28). Christian hope means that I stop betting my life and happiness on human agency and rest in him.[4]”
Keller helpfully highlights that the object of Christian hope is God himself.
The death and resurrection of Jesus was an objective, historical event, that actually happened, and because it did, it changed everything.
Jesus, the good shepherd offers more than just words of comfort. He doesn’t just pass on his “love and prayers.” He died on a cross, like a shepherd steps into danger to protect his flock.
So, as we meet Jesus in this passage today, how might we respond?
-For those of us who are followers of Jesus I hope that you might be encouraged and given hope as you hear of Jesus the good shepherd. If you are carrying particular fears in your life at the moment, I hope that you hear the invitation to come to Him afresh, and to deepen your trust in what He has done for you and the hope set before you.
-If you aren’t a follower of Jesus, I hope that you notice Jesus’ words as he says “I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice.” May you hear the invitation to come to Jesus and to know him as your good shepherd, your hope, and your salvation.
Preached by Joshua, 25th of April 2021
[1] See Scott Bader Saye “Following Jesus in a Culture of Fear.”
Jason Byassee “Scared Sheep?” sourced at https://sojo.net/preaching-the-word/scared-sheep?parent=50861
[3] Andrew T. Lincoln, Black’s New Testament Commentaries: The Gospel According to Saint John
[4] Keller, Timothy. Hope in Times of Fear: The Resurrection and the Meaning of Easter (pp. 220-221). John Murray Press. Kindle Edition.