John 10:11-16
Our Lord teaches us about His vital role as the Good Shepherd. In the parable of the lost sheep, the Good Shepherd leaves the safety of the ninety-nine to find the one that is missing. He ventures through the sweltering heat of summer, enduring scorching temperatures that extend into the night, and he perseveres through the harsh cold of winter with rain and snow that chill him to his core.
The essential message here is that one of His sheep has gone astray—something that happens easily, as noted by the Prophet Isaiah, since sheep have a tendency to wander. They can end up deep in the wilderness or stuck on cliffs, where they risk being trapped in the rocks or thorny bushes. Hearing their anxious bleats, the shepherd carefully navigates the precarious paths until he reaches them. He gently lifts the sheep onto his shoulders and brings it home.
This mirrors what Jesus, our Good Shepherd, does for us. We all tend to follow our own ways, often preoccupied with our own concerns, worrying about our needs and questioning God’s provisions. We mistakenly think we know how to navigate life and drift away from our commitments. Initially, this seems fine, but sheep often do not recognize the dangers until it's too late. How aware are they of the perilous cliffs? What understanding do they have of the scarcity of good pasture and water? How can they comprehend the danger of consuming misleading food that cannot sustain them? What insight do they have regarding the wolves lurking nearby?
Life presents numerous challenges, with distractions that draw us away from our Shepherd. Yet, the Shepherd reaches out to us, entering our lives and speaking to us. Each Sunday, through His ordained priests, Christ offers His forgiveness, saying,
ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all those who with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him; Have mercy upon you; pardon and deliver you from all your sins; confirm and strengthen you in all goodness; and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
” This message redirects our focus from ourselves to Him, where we find everything we need. His words reveal His nature: “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”
In various ways, we feel His strong hand lifting us up. Perhaps it’s His staff extending to help us escape the sins that ensnare us. Both sheep and humans share a common desire to be free when trapped. We resist being caught or lifted, often pulling away from the Shepherd's hold and slipping further down the slope. This resistance saddens the Shepherd, who laments, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!”
Christ Jesus is both the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls. He desires what is best for us, and His passion is evident in His role as Shepherd. The Good Shepherd offers His life for the sheep, navigating through heat and cold, betrayal, false accusations, mockery, denial, spitting, beating, scourging, the crown of thorns, nails, the cross, and separation from God. This was no easy journey. He fully endured the suffering of both soul and body, doing it for us when we are lost. His love compelled Him to act, giving His life for each of us, including you who hear this message. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for you and then takes it back up again.
He did not stay dead; He rose to new life and lives eternally.
The Living Shepherd does not overlook us. He knows His own. Just as the Father knows the Son and the Son knows the Father, our Lord understands us deeply. He knows that we belong to Him and have faith in Him. He is aware of our strengths and weaknesses, our health and ailments.
He sees our temptations and dangers, our tears, and our guilty consciences. He knows all there is to know about us, especially those who are sinful and lost. He comes to rescue us—seeking, leading, feeding, protecting, remembering, and carrying each of us individually, offering support in trial and comfort in kindness.
He confronts and defeats the wolf, the one who aims to steal, kill, and destroy. He safeguards us against the hired hand and continues to seek us even when we stray. Even when we resist Him and attempt to escape His loving arms, He still saves us. This is the safest place to be, for being held in His arms is to be protected from all dangers.
So, allow things to be different. As Peter states: “For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” Take heart! Trust in Him! This defines His sheep: they hear His voice. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep, and there is joy in the presence of God's angels over one sinner who repents.
Among all Scripture, perhaps no passage captures our identity as God's sheep and Christ as our Good Shepherd better than Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
We traverse the valley of the shadow of death under the guidance of our Good Shepherd, who nourishes us and leads us toward the eternal dwelling of the Lord. These words are realized among us today. So, Good Shepherd, gather us around Your table that we may be one flock. Amen.
May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.