John10:11-18

This week we have some of the cherished readings in scripture

Psalm 23, where we read “the Lord is my shepherd”

And Jesus telling us he is the Good Shepherd in John’s gospel

The image of a shepherd is one we associate with the Bible

In my reading this week I found this to say about shepherds:

Although shepherding was and is an important vocation in ancient Palestine, shepherds in general were not looked upon with high regard.

It was not considered a noble profession,

which makes it all the more intriguing that the Bible dares to use the metaphor of shepherd for God and Jesus,

and that this image has throughout the centuries had an enduring attraction.

The shepherd was more than just someone who watched where the sheep went but would give special attention to expectant ewes, newborn lambs, sick and injured animals, and would rescue the lost – love in action.

The word called for a combination of skills, including diligence, compassion, endurance, strength, and stamina. (Seasons of the Spirit)

We may draw strength from these scriptures at any time

It seems that at times of stress we are particularly drawn to Psalm 23

The 23^rd psalm gives us strength when we are weak

And the reading in John 10 reminds us that the Good Shepherd also looks out for us when we are weak

The Good Shepherd lays down his life

This is how it may have been in ancient Palestine when a hired hand was chosen to help the Good Shepherd

Voice 1: I got this job as assistant to the shepherd because my mother’s friend knows the shepherd’s wife. When the women get together around the well each morning, they catch up on what’s new with everyone, all the family, all the neighbours. And so when my mother told her friend that I was looking for my first job, her friend said a friend of hers was a shepherd’s wife who had mentioned that the shepherd could really do with some help, especially at this time of year because the sheep were having lambs. When my mother told me about the job I thought it could be something for me. I like sheep, and from what I could see, life as a shepherd wouldn’t be all that hard. You walk out to the pastures, you stand around and let the sheep eat their fill and then you walk back home when your shift is done. So I said, “Yes, I’d like to become a shepherd.” I truly didn’t know what I was getting myself into. My first shift was good, I stood around with the shepherd and he showed me the ropes. What grass was good for the sheep, what they shouldn’t be eating, how to use the crook to pull them out of a thorn bush, how to keep them together. It looked pretty easy and so it was for the first week when the shepherd was tending the flock with me. But things changed when I had to go out on my own. Somehow the sheep seemed to know I wasn’t very experienced. Groups of them went wandering off all over the place and I was chasing around trying to keep them together. Then one of the ewes who’d wandered away from the flock dropped a lamb. I was all excited; it was the first time I’d seen a lamb born. As I was making my way over to her all the sheep started going berserk, bleating and baaing in a panicked way, and then they all ran. That’s when I saw the wolf. It had been hiding in the bushes and was now sneaking up on the mother ewe and the newborn lamb. I couldn’t think what to do. I’m sure the shepherd had said something about getting between the sheep and the wolf but I just couldn’t, I turned on my heels and ran away with the other sheep. I count my lucky stars that I wasn’t attacked, and that all the other sheep in the flock are okay.

Voice 2: Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd and the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand sees a wolf and runs away because the hired hand doesn’t care for the sheep, but I am the good shepherd and I lay down my life for the sheep, even those that don’t belong to my fold.” (Seasons of the Spirit)

The Good Shepherd has a calling- the Good Shepherd acts out of love

When the shepherding role becomes difficult, the shepherd is still dependable

By the use of contrast Jesus shows the Good Shepherd to be the supreme example of a caretaker

In talking about the role of the Good Shepherd Jesus said “I know my own and my own know me”

In Israel, in Jesus’ day, sheep were everywhere.

Every hillside had a flock and a couple of shepherds.

In every village people went to sleep to the bleat of sheep and woke up with them wandering past the window.

Everywhere you looked, women and men were caring for sheep; keeping an eye on them, looking after them when they were hurt, and helping them give birth.

When Jesus wanted people to know how much he loved them he said that he was like the hardworking shepherds that the people saw all around them.

Jesus said that he is like the shepherd who knows its sheep.

I wonder what Jesus would say to us today to help us know how much he loves and cares for us.

Let’s imagine Jesus talking to us today...

“I am the good caretaker.

The one who welcomes the children and everyone.

The one who gathers up the rubbish, the one who fixes the broken things, the one who keeps an eye out for the loiterers and any troublemakers.

The one who is here early and late. Whatever is needed, I do.

“There are others who come and go but I am always here.

I know everyone’s name.

I know the ones who need space and the ones who like riddles and the ones who limp.

I know the ones who carry heavy bags and the ones who are hungry.

“I encourage the late ones and invite the early ones to help.

I find the ones who are lost and I know the ones who wish things were different and the ones who are sure they never can be.

I know the ones who are forgotten and the ones we never see.

“I know my job. I know what I must do. I am here. This is my life, here.

“I am the good caretaker.” (Seasons of the Spirit)

Those of us who have received the Good Shepherd’s care will have been changed by that care

We look for ways to share the Good Shepherd with others

One way that we do that is through Presbyterians Sharing and one of the ministries we support is ARISE ministry

ARISE Ministry offers compassionate outreach and spiritual care to survivors of sexual exploitation living in the Greater Toronto Area. Inspired by Jesus’ healing of the woman who was afflicted for 18 years with a condition that kept her bent over (Luke 13:10–17), ARISE aims to help those who have been living “bent over” by exploitation, trauma, abuse and addiction. Staff and volunteers work with vulnerable women, youth and children by providing one-on-one, goal-oriented support. As relationships strengthen, hope and empowerment are fostered, making it possible for futures to be reclaimed. Like the woman in the gospel of Luke, several women that ARISE has helped are now standing straight and tall, and God continues to do amazing things in their lives. This is a reason to rejoice!

The Shepherd knows the sheep and the sheep know the shepherd

The Good Shepherd is so committed to caring for the sheep that the Good Shepherd is willing to lay down his life for the sheep

Rev. Dr. Wiley Stephens has these thoughts on the Good Shepherd:

The shepherd reflects not only commitment but care.

From our lesson in John's Gospel we see that we worship a God who knows each of us.

God knows us, we're told, to the extent that the very hairs on our heads are numbered.

Jesus knows that when it comes to caring that one size does not fit all.

He cares for us where we are and with what each of us is struggling.

We are called to love others in this same way,

The shepherd can show this commitment and care because the shepherd has the priorities straight.

Jesus core value is unconditional love

Jesus in laying down his life for us is modeling what a great love he has for us.

The cross reminds us that he knew what he stood for, and there was no turning back from that commitment.

Speaking of his life, he says, "No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord."

His love for God and for us was at the very core of his being.

As Jesus demonstrated what you truly value in life will make all the difference in the world.

For the church, for the one following Christ, there are many tough decisions to make.

We can't be everything to all people.

We must seek God's will for the best uses of our resources.

Unless we're truly committed to where the shepherd leads us, we will be like the chameleon that found itself on Scotch plaid and blew up trying to match all the colors.

To follow the good shepherd means a centering of who we are in his will. It means recognizing and knowing the authority with which Jesus speaks.

Our first commitment must be to him.

From the love and grace he has given us, we know we can trust our lives to his care and guidance.

He is our shepherd.

But this singleness of commitment must never be seen as being narrow toward others.

The challenge is to open our hearts and minds to others in a way that we shall see ourselves as a part of one flock with one shepherd.

Some that gather with us will not be like us, but we can love them because God loves them.

It is the shepherd that will determine who is a part of the flock.

We must resist the temptation to expect all the other sheep to be the same as we are.

The evils of intolerance to those different can destroy the vision of the church that Jesus is telling us of in John.

He is specifically telling us that there are others who are not here with us at the moment.

This statement of Jesus that there are other sheep is a reminder to be tolerant of different ways of worshiping, different views on social issues, different traditions.

We're called to open our hearts and minds to be greater than what would divide us and see the love of the shepherd that unites us.

We all have one life to live in such a way that we may invest it to the glory of God. We model our lives out of the sacrificial love of his life. We find room for each of us in the inclusive nature of God's love.

All of this comes with a cost.

When you make a commitment to love as he loved, you will have to let go of some things.

When you care as he cares, you'll have to get beyond yourself and your interests. To arrive at this core value that you will live for others, you must walk away from many other choices.

For it is so giving our life and days in this way that you will find the authority of God's living word for your life.

You stop listening to the many voices of the world and follow the one who is our good shepherd.

As a little girl said, "The Lord is my shepherd, could we want any more?"

(Rev. Dr. Wiley Stephens. “One Life to Give’” found at Day1.org)

Invitation to the Offering

 

St. John reminds us that because Jesus laid down his life for us, we ought to lay down our lives for him. What we offer today is not such a complete sacrifice, but our gifts show our love and commitment in gratitude for what Christ has given for us.

 

Prayer for Dedication

 

God, you are our Shepherd, strong and wise. We offer our gifts to you, asking you to bless them. Multiply their impact in the world to accomplish your will. May they be used wisely in mission and service, here in our community and through the outreach of The Presbyterian Church in Canada and its partners for the sake of Christ, our Risen Lord. Amen.

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession

Gracious and loving God,

as a shepherd cares for the flock, so you care for each one of us.

Move in our hearts and minds, our congregations and communities,

and lead us to care for one another for the sake of Jesus,

our Good Shepherd.

Today we thank you for the gift of rest.

We pray for all those who are tired from work or worry,

especially in these days of pandemic.

Grant peace to those who are worn out with anxiety or frustration,

and rest for all those who are weary from the responsibilities of their work.

Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

God our Guide,

we thank you for the gifts of truth and wisdom.

We pray for those who cannot discern truth in the midst of conspiracy theories,

and for all who suffer under authorities who distort reality for their own ends.

Grant wisdom and common sense to all who must make decisions

in these confusing days of competing arguments.

Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

God our Strength,

we thank you for the ways you refresh our souls.

We pray for those whose lives are burdened with poverty

or with uncertainty about the future beyond the pandemic.

We remember all who face any sort of trial or difficulty,

those who are sick, in pain, or facing death,

and those who are bereaved by the loss of someone dear.

For all of these precious souls, be their source of healing and peace.

Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

God our Shield and Defender,

we thank you for staying with us when we face danger or death.

We pray for all those who live in fear:

prisoners, exiles and refugees,

victims of oppression, racism and hatred,

those who know the threat of violence day after day.

Be for them a steady companion and their source of courage.

Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

God our Provider,

we thank you for all the ways you fill our cup to overflowing.

Thank you for offering peace and calm in the midst of turmoil,

for the return of happiness after times of strife,

and for insight emerging after confusion and indecision.

Help us recognize your redeeming gifts which guide us and give us hope.

Show us how we can be part of your redeeming work

unfolding in the world around us,

and bless the ministries undertaken through The Presbyterian Church in Canada.

Bless those who serve in challenging missions in Canada

and around the world.

Equip them well to reach out in love and respect, together with local partners,

to accomplish your will in Jesus’ name.

Hear us as we offer the prayer that Jesus taught us:

The Lord’s Prayer