LENTEN SERMON SERIES – THE NAMES OF JESUS

Good Shepherd

Psalm 23      John 10:11-18

Lent II             February 17, 2008

 

The Lord as my shepherd and Jesus the Good Shepherd are among the most comforting images in all of Scripture.  We are reminded of our vulnerability and the protection of the shepherd.  This winter our Wednesday morning Bible Study is looking at the 23rd Psalm.  We are learning a lot about sheep and shepherds.  Some is comforting and peaceful and the shepherd is certainly portrayed by David the Psalmist as good.  Of course David started out in life as a shepherd before being tapped by Samuel to be the future king. 

 

Other parts of the image are not as complementary.  Let’s face it - sheep are dumb, they easily panic, they will follow a leader with sometimes disastrous results. They are stubborn and will wander off oblivious to danger.  If they get turned over on their back they cannot right themselves and must be rescued.  They engage in sometimes bitter and cruel rivalry within the flock.

 

Why was it necessary for Jesus to say I am the GOOD shepherd?  Psalm 23 simply left it as the Lord is my shepherd.  There are numerous examples in the Hebrew Scripture of anything but GOOD shepherds.  God describes the rulers of the people as shepherds who care only about themselves, who get drunk when they should be watching their flock. (Isaiah 56:10-12)  God refers to Judah’s leadership as stupid shepherds who have allowed the sheep to be scattered. (Jeremiah 10:21)  The shepherds of Israel are accused of feeding themselves and not the sheep.  They do not love the sheep: instead they rule over them with harshness and violence. (Ezekiel 34) 

 

Why should we trust this shepherd who calls himself good?  Jesus takes on himself the trust that envelops us as we recall the words of the 23rd Psalm

            The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.

A good shepherd provides for his sheep and protects them.  Phillip Keller says in his book A Shepherd Looks at the 23rd Psalm, not only does the shepherd provide green pastures for nourishment but freedom from fear.  Sheep will only lie down and be at peace if they are free from fear. They will only lie down if they are free from tension, rivalry and cruel competition.  Sheep will only lie down if they are free from the aggravation of parasites, insects and the like.  And sheep will only lie down and be at peace if they are free from the hunger.  We may not always like the image of ourselves as sheep but there is a profound sense of contentment in knowing Jesus as the Good Shepherd.

 

Why should we trust the Good Shepherd?  In the New Testament we find a startling image.  We trust the Good Shepherd because he is also a lamb.  In the words of the poet William Blake, (Songs of Innocence, 1789)

            Little Lamb, who made thee?

            Dost thou know who made thee?

Gave thee life, and bid thee feed

By the stream and o’er the mead;

Softest clothing, wooly, bright;

Gave thee such a tender voice,

Making all the vales rejoice?

            Little Lamb who made thee,

            Dost thou know who made thee? 

           

Little Lamb, I’ll tell thee,

            Little Lamb, I’ll tell thee:

He is called by thy name,

For he calls himself a Lamb.

He is meek and he is mild;

He became a little child.

I a child, and thou a lamb,

We are called by his name.

            Little Lamb, God bless thee!

            Little Lamb, God bless thee!

 

Why trust the Good Shepherd?  Jesus declares that he is willing to lay down his life for his sheep.  At the beginning of his ministry when John the Baptist was at the height of his popularity Jesus came to the Jordan to be baptized by John.  Make no mistake John was drawing crowds and eventually considered so dangerous that Herod had him arrested and thrown into prison.  One night at a drunken party the King has John’s head delivered to him on a platter.  On the day that John saw Jesus coming toward him at the river he said,

Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. 

 

Why trust the Good Shepherd?  Because Jesus claims to know his sheep and states that the sheep know him.  Jesus knows our name.  In this assurance we can sing with full confidence,

            You are God’s child most dear

            Your pray’rs God will always hear

            As long as you live, God will love and forgive,

            And bless you, O child most dear.

Then Jesus takes this a step further in the bold affirmation that he knows us and we know him like the way he knows the Father and the Father knows him.  This intimate knowledge builds on the image of the 23rd Psalm and takes it to a deeper level.  In the Gospel of Matthew we see this poignant image of Jesus, (Matthew 9:36)

            When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them,

            because they were harassed and helpless,

            like sheep without a shepherd.

             

My favorite story about the Good Shepherd concerns a grand dinner party that was held in one of those magnificent English country houses.  The kind you always see on Masterpiece Theater.  I can almost hear the theme music now. Picture the vehicles arriving and the guests being welcomed at the front door of the house by an impeccably dressed and dignified butler.  There is a warm glow in the house and the guests are something of a mix of people.  There are a few famous folk from politics and the arts, some long time neighbors and a few relatives who have come for the occasion.  The cocktail hour stretches on with exquisite hor-deorvres and cheery fireplaces.  The hosts and guests are having a delightful evening.  Then dinner is served, five courses in all and the conversation is spirited and joyful, respectful and stimulating.  This is not one of those murder mysteries. 

 

Coffee and dessert is served in a grand hall accompanied by one of the guests who plays piano.  Other guests take a turn at reciting poetry or singing.  There are story tellers and a family member who gives a brief but captivating account of the history of the house including the fact that it was used as a kind of infirmary during the Great War.  At one point a well know actor rises and recites the beloved Twenty Third Psalm in impeccable King James English. The guests are spell bound by his eloquence and obviously trained voice, not to mention his dashing good looks.  Other guests offer their talents as the evening progresses.  The host asks if anyone else would like to present something.                                                                                                

An elderly aunt is awakened by the announcement.  She had been dozing off and on throughout the evening.  She struggled to her feet and held on to a chair and began slowly,

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want,

            He maketh me like down in green pastures:

            He leaded me beside still waters.  He restoreth my soul:

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name sake.

She continued and after she came to the words,

            And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

She quietly sat down.

 

From the moment she had stood and begun, “The Lord is my shepherd,” the room was absolutely silent.  No one moved.  When she finished the silence lingered a good while.  Then the host thanked the guests for coming.  As folks began to leave a number of guests gathered around the actor and one said, your recitation of the 23rd Psalm was exquisite, but when the little old lady gave her presentation we were all moved beyond words.  Why was that, she asked?  The wise actor said.

            I know the Psalm.

            She knows the Shepherd.