Loving God, in spite of your power, you treat us with generosity and love.  By the power of your Spirit, teach us to treat others in the same way, through Jesus Christ our Saviour.  Amen.

            Twice in today’s gospel we hear Jesus say, “I am the good shepherd” (Jn. 10:11, 14).  Once, apparently, was not enough.  These statements come after “I am the light of the world” (Jn. 9:5) and “I am the gate” (Jn. 10:9).  Jesus does not say, “I am your shepherd” or “I am the Lord your shepherd,” but “I am the good shepherd.”  This distinguishes Jesus from all of those other bad shepherds who were only in it for themselves.

         The context for the people of Israel included all of the leaders from years past – prophets, priests and kings - who were referred to as shepherds of God’s people.  God is always the chief Shepherd, or the true Shepherd of Israel, but these other leaders were thought of as under-shepherds – and many of them were not particularly good.  Ezekiel spoke against the “shepherds of Israel,” who were feeding themselves instead of the sheep, and were scattering the sheep rather than gathering them together and taking care of them (Ezek. 34).

         By contrast, Jesus is identified as the good shepherd, who knows his sheep intimately and lays down his life for the sheep.  It is an image of a trustworthy leader who combines power with love and generosity.  Do you know many leaders like this?... The world would certainly be a better place if we had a few more of them!

         As for Jesus, “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (Jn. 10:11).  In the gospel of John, it is clear that Jesus does this willingly and from a position of strength.  It is not others who step in and take Jesus’ life from him, but Jesus who lays down his life so that he can “take it up again” (Jn. 10:18).  It is an act of love and generosity – one that gives abundant life to the sheep.

         Just in case you missed it, we are the sheep in this metaphor.  Jesus cares for us as a good shepherd would and laid down his life for us.  He did this out of love for us and for all people, in order that we might have life in all its fulness.  He also did this to bring us into the fold, so to speak, and make us part of his body, the church.  After all, shepherds don’t usually have a flock of just one sheep.  We are brought into a community, whether we like it or not!

         At the same time, though, did you notice how well Jesus knows those who belong to him?  “I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father” (Jn. 10:14-15).  Did you catch that?  Our knowledge of Jesus and his knowledge of us is just like the relationship that Jesus has with his heavenly Father.  You can’t get much closer than that!  

         While some might think that it’s a little freaky that Jesus knows us this well, it’s not as far out there as some might think.  When we consider that God is the one who knit us together in our mother’s womb (Ps. 139:13), of course God (and thus, Jesus) knows us through and through.  As for our knowledge of Jesus, it grows as we spend time with him in prayer, hear and study the Scriptures, and spend time with him in worship.  It also grows as we put our trust in Jesus and step out in faith.

         Today we are given the image of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who knows us through and through, loves us, and lays down his life for us. While this is a wonderful reminder all by itself, today’s gospel is part of a larger narrative that includes all of John 9 and 10.  It begins with Jesus healing the man born blind and ends with an affirmation that everything John the Baptist had said about Jesus was true.  It also includes, in the verses right after today’s gospel, a fundamental question: “Why listen to [Jesus]?” (Jn. 10:20).  At least three answers to this question are found in John 9 and beyond (workingpreacher.org).

         First, there is the man born blind, who listened to Jesus’ instructions to go and “wash in the pool of Siloam” (Jn. 9:7).  He got somebody to lead him to the pool, washed himself there, and was able to see for the first time in his life.  Not only was his sight restored, but he became one of those who belonged to Jesus and followed him.  He listened to Jesus and ended up with abundant life.

         One of the next people to listen to Jesus’ voice is Lazarus.  Lazarus is dead, and he is in the tomb, but when Jesus commands, “Lazarus, come out!”, he comes (Jn. 11:43).  Lazarus listens to Jesus and moves from death to life.  Finally, there is Mary Magdalene in the garden, who listens to the voice of Jesus, calling her name, and recognizes her Lord and teacher.  And in that moment, Mary moves from sorrow to joy.

         May we, too, be among those who listen to the voice of Jesus, the good shepherd, who knows us through and through, loves us, and lays down his life for us.  For in this is abundant life, renewed vision, and comfort in all our sorrows.  Thanks be to God!  Amen.

Easter 4(B)                                        John 10:11-18

April 21, 2024

St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church

Pastor Lynne Hutchison

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