This
Sunday, August 25th, we continue our three-sermon series on the “Joy of
Christ.” Last Sunday, we explored
how we can experience the Joy of Christ through serving. This Sunday, we shift our focus to reflect on
how we experience the Joy of Christ through abundance. To understand this joy of Christ, I have selected
two parables which Jesus tells about sheep and their shepherd. In the first of these parables, Jesus
describes himself as “the good shepherd.”
“Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the
sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters
by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his
voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought
out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they
know his voice. They will not follow
a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of
strangers.” Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not
understand what he was saying to them.”~John 10:1-6
In this
first parable, Jesus describes himself and his ministry as being “the
good shepherd.”
During Jesus’ ministry here, most
shepherds cared for a small flock of 10-20 sheep. During the day, the shepherd would take his
sheep out into the countryside to graze on grass. When the day was over, the shepherd would
frequently return to his home village with his sheep. Each village had a common, fenced-in area
where all of the sheep were kept overnight.
Usually, someone from the village spent all night watching the sheep and
protecting them from human thieves or animal predators, such as wolves.
When morning came, the shepherd would call out his sheep by
name. When he had assembled all of his
sheep, the good shepherd would lead them back to the pastures, where they could
continue grazing, under the watchful eye of the shepherd. The sheep recognized the voice of their shepherd
and trusted him.
By contrast, Jesus says that thieves and bandits would try
to steal the sheep at night. Since the
one watching over the sheep would be stationed at the gate, thieves and robbers
would not try to enter the sheep pen through its sole gate. Instead, they would try to find a weakness in
the sheepfold’s fencing and gain entrance to the pen in that way.
Jesus notes that sheep would be wary of strange humans who
called to them in their pen. So, the
sheep would try to run away from thieves and bandits, but they come to their
one, true shepherd because they recognize his voice and know that they can
trust him.
Jesus uses this metaphor of the sheep and their shepherd to
describe what his relationship will be with the disciples after his death and
resurrection. Like the good shepherd,
Jesus will reach out to us and call us, so that we may remain close to him, just
as the good shepherd in the metaphor. Also, as the good shepherd,
Jesus will take care of his followers.
He will protect them from predators and other threats to their
well-being. Just as the shepherd in the
parable finds fresh, green meadows for the sheep to graze, so also Jesus will
provide spiritual nurture and sustenance to his followers.
Unfortunately, the crowd does not understand the metaphor of
the good shepherd. So, Jesus provides a
different metaphor:
“So again, Jesus said to them, “Very
truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before
me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate.
Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find
pasture.” John 10:7-9
In this
second metaphor, Jesus switches his role.
Whereas in the first metaphor, Jesus is identified as the “good shepherd,”
who loves and cares for his sheep, in the second story Jesus becomes the gate to
the sheep pen itself. Those who are to
be reconciled with God and become his disciples enter through the gate. By contrast, “thieves” try to compromise the
fence by searching for a weak spot in the fencing.
Then, as
a way of summarizing what he has tried to convey,
Jesus says:
“The thief comes only to steal and
kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10
Whereas the thief comes in selfishness to steal, kill, and
destroy, Jesus is the embodiment of the Divine, bringing life and abundance in
our living. That is to say, the transcendent
Divine became incarnated in the human person, Jesus of Nazareth, so that
everyone could have life and live abundantly.
The good shepherd provides his sheep with abundant life in three ways:
1. Guiding
the sheep along paths and keeping them headed for their destination.
2. Taking
them to lush meadows and clear streams, so that they have plenty to eat and
drink.
3. Protecting
them from predator animals in the field and keeping them secure in the village
sheep pen.
Similarly, Jesus provides abundant life for his
disciples. In our loving discipleship with
Christ, we experience God’s guidance
whenever we encounter a crisis—or, a crossroads—and need help. Again, as with the good shepherd in the
metaphor, Christ provides for us and our needs.
Finally, Christ watches over us, always present with us during the
disappointments, set backs, and crises of life.
When we become his disciples, we
experience the joy of Christ. Out of
this profound joy, we experience abundant life, when we strive to live our lives
in a manner that reflects the teachings and ministry of Jesus.
If you live in the Lincoln,
Nebraska area and do not have a place of worship, then I invite you to come and
join us at Christ United Methodist Church this Sunday, August 25th, where we
will continue our reflections on the Joy of Christ, by reflecting
on abundance. Christ UMC
is located at 4530 “A” Street. We have
three worship services on Sunday mornings at 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00. The 8:30 and 11:00 services feature a
traditional worship format and the services are held in our Sanctuary. “The Gathering” at 9:45 is held in our Family
Life Center (gym), and it is more informal and interactive.
Come, join us. Everyone is welcome and accepted because God
loves us all.
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