The Good Shepherd
John 10:11-18
April 26, 2020 anno Domini – Redeemer
I am the Good Shepherd.
If you were teaching Lamb and Wool Management at the Vocational College in Bethlehem to apprentice shepherds how would you define a good shepherd?
A good shepherd would have good breeding stock and healthy ewes that would produce a large flock of lambs every year.
A good shepherd would balance risk and loss. He might sacrifice a stubborn old ram to a wolf or bear so he can save six or seven valuable ewes.
A good shepherd would diversify his business model and be known for his state fair lamb chops on a stick and his woolen goods factory and outlet store up in Galilee.
One thing is for certain – a good shepherd would not lay down his life for the sheep. He might endanger his life. He might risk his life, but the worst thing that could happen to the flock would be the death of the shepherd – if the shepherd dies the sheep are scattered and the wolf becomes fat and happy.
So when Jesus says, “I am the Good Shepherd” you should realize that Jesus defines “good” different than you do. A good shepherd today would use his sheep to make a living and provide for his family. Jesus the Good Shepherd gives up His life for the sheep to save them from themselves and their enemies. The Good Shepherd doesn’t need the sheep to make a living. The sheep need the Good Shepherd to live.
When Jesus says, “I am the Good Shepherd” what do you picture? What psalm do you recite? You pictures Jesus carrying a lamb home over His shoulders. You recite Psalm 23. Good is Jesus and me. He takes care of my needs. He brings me to green grass, still waters, safety, and peace. He carries me out of the tough spots of life. We have come to think of good as nice, but Jesus didn’t say, “I’m the nice shepherd.”
The Good Shepherd is not nice. It is good when the sheep know they are weak, but we don’t like to feel weakness. It is good when the sheep are dependent on the shepherd, but we like our independence. It is good when the sheep only feed on the green grass and drink from the still waters, but we like to follow our bellies and we find it thrilling to play in dangerous waters. It is good when the sheep run from the wolf and hide behind the Shepherd, but we don’t believe the wolf is that bad especially when he comes disguised in sheep’s clothing. Although we are weak we think we are strong. We believe we can sin a little, dine and dance with the wolf, and still live.
So when God works through your suffering, allows you to be weak, teaches you dependence, shows you your sin, brings you guilt, and you come running to Jesus – this is good. You will not think it good. It will not feel good. No one in the world will call it good, but it is good.
The reason Jesus is good and not nice is that we don’t yet live in the pleasant pastures of Psalm 23. We are sheep on a battlefield and in battle the Shepherd isn’t nice. He is good for you because the battle is a matter of life and death – yours.
Those two verses which follow the text define the Good Shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 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 the Father.”
Dr. Luther writes it like this in his epic hymn “Dear Christians, One and All Rejoice.”
God said to his beloved Son;
“It’s time to have compassion.
Then go bright jewel of My crown,
And bring to them salvation.
From sin and sorrow set them free;
Slay bitter death for them that they
May live for you forever.”
Luther begins the next stanza, “The son obeyed His Father’s will.”
This is what the Father gave the Son – the command and the authority to save mankind – to save you, all of you, from every sin and every enemy. The Father did not need you. He wanted you and He chose to save you through His Son. So the Father said to His Son, “Lay down your life for the sheep.” Jesus said, “Gladly, I will.” And he did. The Father said, “They’ve gotten themselves in deadly trouble. You alone can save them.” Jesus said, “I will.” And He did. His Father said, “It’s not fair. They sinned, but You must die. They deserve judgment, but You will be cursed. They hate me and You love me, but I love them also and I want you to love them to death.” Jesus said, “I will.” And He did.
I am the Good Shepherd … I lay down my life that I may take it up again. Jesus is the Good Shepherd. Good because He is God in the flesh. Good because the death of God the Son satisfied the wrath of God the Father. Good because with sin out of the way death doesn’t win. Good because if you’re forgiven, the Devil is a toothless old wolf on a short leash – He can harm you none. Good because when Jesus took up His life again He took you with Him. Good because right now Jesus is feeding you in the green pastures of His Word and you’re revived by the still waters of Baptism. The cup of His forgiveness overflows in the presence of your enemies and He sets a table of life for you in His supper.
The Good Shepherd knows you and you know Him. His name is Jesus of Nazareth and He laid down His life for you and took it up again. If you’ve had a bad week or a bad year or if you’re just a weak and troubled sheep this is the good news. You have the Good Shepherd in the name of Jesus. Amen.