Sermon - Easter 4 - John 10:1-10

 

A “figure of speech”. Sometimes Jesus spoke plainly. But other times, not so much. Always Jesus spoke the truth, but sometimes that truth was given in a way that wasn't as obvious, especially to the unbeliever. 

Today is often called “Good Shepherd Sunday”. On this Fourth Sunday of Easter, our readings draw us into the grand scriptural metaphor of the shepherd and sheep. It's a favorite metaphor used by Christ, and an important theme, really, throughout all of Scripture. 

Consider these important Old Testament figures who truly were shepherds: Abel, Abraham, Issac, Jacob, Moses, David, Amos – and many others. The kings of Israel were also seen as shepherds – guarding and protecting the flock of their kingdom.  And woe to the shepherds that lead the sheep astray! 

And of course, our well-loved Psalm 23 tells us, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want”. Jesus aptly picks up on this depiction, and calls himself the “Good Shepherd”. 

Today we take one of the passages from John in which Jesus strikes this theme. Let's note three key ideas there, and we'll expound on them further: 

Jesus is the true shepherd, as opposed to false shepherds. 

Jesus knows the sheep, the sheep know him. 

Jesus is also the gate or the door to the pen, our way to safety and abundant life. 

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Then, as now, there were many false shepherds. Jesus offered this as a warning to his people, his sheep. Watch out for those false shepherds! They climb over the gate... they sneak in or barge in... but they have no right to be there in the sheep pen. They are not the true shepherd. Only Jesus is. 

So who are they? Doubtless Jesus referred to the many false Messiahs that had come before – false shepherds who led the sheep astray, or fail to defend the sheep, or steal from the sheep, or even prey upon them. False shepherds who either claimed to be the Christ, or claimed to do what only Christ can do. 

We have many false shepherds today, too, of course. False teachers who would lead people astray into false belief and false living. Some of them are wolves-in-shepherd's clothing. They may appear to be good and nice, and maybe even religious. Maybe even Christian.  A pastor who fills up a stadium and sells lots of books and smiles big and tells engaging stories.  He must be doing something right, if all these people listen to him.  He must be blessed by God, he must be worth listening to, some poor sheep conclude.

Some False shepherds are clad in the priestly garments of white lab coats, claiming “Science! Science!”  As if worldly knowledge and the theories of man can hold a candle to the divine revelation of the Creator.  This new tower of Babel holds a false promise, even of eternal life, for those who seek to transcend creaturely limitations.

Some other false shepherds are wolves in cap and gown, academic garb, propounding anti-Christian worldviews and philosophies that lead many of our young people astray.  History, society, reality and truth themselves are taught through the lens of power dynamics, oppressors and victims, social justice and other concocted ideologies – and not sin and grace, law and gospel, biblical truth. 

Or the false prophets of politics, who imply or outright claim that only they can save you, save your family, save your country!  If you’ll only vote, speak up, or donate – we can solve all the problems and defeat all the enemies.  But Holy Scripture warns us to “trust not in princes”, and points us to the kingdom that is not of this world. 

And there is the great danger, when false shepherds lead the sheep away from the safety of the pen, from the shelter of God's grace in Jesus Christ – out into the wilderness of their own shabby good works. There the sheep will starve for lack of food, for the sheep don't live on bread, or grass, but on the word of God. There in the wilderness, the sheep will quake in fear of the enemies – which abound, of course. And who will protect them from the beasts of sin and death? And there, in the wilderness, should the sheep remain, they will surely die. Oh, the false shepherd may wear a smile on his face, but he is a thief and robber. He cares nothing for the sheep. 

We are tempted to follow these false shepherds. Even worse. Sometimes we are even our own false shepherd. When we make our own way, define our own rules, rationalize our own reasons for sin. When we fear, love, and trust in “me”, and not “he”. We lead ourselves astray. We are not following Christ. 

There are dangers, so many dangers, all around.  Enemies and predators, thieves and destroyers.  And sometimes the worst enemy is myself.  What’s a poor sheep to do? 

And then there is the true shepherd, Jesus Christ. He feeds and cares for and protects his sheep. He is worthy of our trust and faith. He will not disappoint. He will not flee in the face of danger. His steady hand holds and unwavering rod and staff that comfort the sheep. 

Jesus is the true shepherd. And Jesus knows the sheep, and the sheep know him. 

In those days, a group of shepherds would often house their flocks in the same pen. When it was time to depart for the day, each shepherd would call his own flock, and they would separate into their respective groups, each following the voice of their own shepherd. 

The sheep know the voice of the shepherd. We, the people of Christ, know the voice of Christ. But how? With so many false shepherds out there, with all their appealing teachings and attractive ideas... how can we know the voice of the shepherd? 

We know it through his word. We hear Jesus speak when scripture speaks. We know it to be a word of both law and gospel, judgment and grace, sin and forgiveness. And the more we listen, the better we know his voice. It is the only voice worth following. It is the voice of our shepherd. A voice of authority, a voice of power, but more – a voice of love and mercy for poor lost sheep. Sweet music to our sore sheep ears. The sheep know the shepherd. 

But more importantly, the shepherd knows his sheep. Jesus knows us. Each of us, personally, better than we know ourselves. He knows what it's like for us, after all he went through everything we do – yet without sin. He knows each of us by name, as we belong to him in holy Baptism. And even though he knows we are wayward sheep, he does not deny us. Instead he seeks us, finds us, claims us, and brings us to himself. 

Jesus, the true shepherd, stands in contrast to the false shepherds. He knows his sheep, and we know him. And remember, he is the gate to the sheep-pen. 

Yes Jesus is not only a good shepherd, he is the only good shepherd. He is the only door, the one true gate, the exclusive way to safety. No one comes to the father but by him, he says a later in John’s Gospel. But here, the metaphor of the sheep-pen. A safe place to spend the night. Protected and fed, this pen is the safe-haven of his kingdom. Here, the sheep take refuge. Here the sheep rest secure. 

But there is only one way in. And he is that way. Jesus is the gate. Only through him do we have any hope at all. But in him, and through him, we have life, and have it abundantly. 

See, the true shepherd is also the true lamb- the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. For he died to save the sheep from sin, and he rose to bring this life to the sheep.  And so he is also the true door or gate – the way, and the only way to the Father, and to the eternal security of the heavenly sheep-fold. 

So follow him, you sheep of his pasture and pen. Watch out for the false shepherds! Hear and listen to the voice of your shepherd. He is the true shepherd. He knows you, even better than you know him. He brings you to the safety of his care and keeping. And he feeds you even now.  He calls you to take and eat, take and drink, and be forgiven.   

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen. 

Sermon - Easter 2 - John 20:19-31

The disciples were in lockdown.  Not for fear of COVID, but for fear of the Jews.  They saw what happened to Jesus, and they didn’t want to be next.  Maybe if we just hunker down here this will all soon blow over.  When the coast is clear, we can go back to Galilee and figure out what’s next.  But the women are saying some strange things, and Peter and John confirmed it, the tomb is empty.  Could it possibly be that Jesus did what he said he would do, that he rose from the dead? 

And directly into this swirling mess of fear and confusion and doubt, comes Jesus.  He simply appears in their midst, with no explanation, and needing no invitation. 

He doesn’t scold them for their cowardice.  He doesn’t come to berate them for leaving him out to dry in his darkest hour.  He doesn’t come to punish them for their failures.  He comes in peace. 

“Peace be with you” he says.  And already in this greeting, we can tell everything is going to be all right.  

He shows them his hands and his side.  This is his divine ID.  And it is a grand summary of the Gospel.  It proves it’s really him, in the flesh.  It proves he really died.  And by virtue of the fact that he’s standing there with them – he shows them he is alive!  He’s done it all for them.  It’s all come to pass, just as he said. 

And in those wounds, and in his risen body, and in his merciful greeting – the disciples have peace.  So also, for us. 

We stand a week away from Easter, and a little more from Good Friday, and we too can find ourselves hunkered down in fear.  Our fears are different, to be sure.  But we also have confusion and doubt.  We have hurt and pain.  And we surely have sin.  We have celebrated the Lord’s resurrection, but we have lived as if that doesn’t matter.  We have the spiritual memory of goldfish, rejoicing one day, despairing the next.  We are like Paul, doing the evil we hate, and not doing the good we desire.  Wretched man, indeed.  Who will save me from this body of death? 

And there stands Jesus – alive – with the answer.  Only Jesus can do it.  And Jesus has done it.  In those wounds we find the peace that Jesus proclaims.  Peace with God.  Peace with conscience.  Peace and not guilt, shame, fear, or doubt.  The disciples were then glad.  So are we. 

But he has more to offer.  Again he repeats his peace, but now with a mission for these disciples.  “As the Father sends me, so I am sending you”.  The word there – sent one – is “apostle”.  Jesus, the original “apostle”, the one sent from the Father, now sends these men, apostles them, with a mission of their own.   

He empowers them with the Holy Spirit, breathing that very Spirit on them.  And then he says, “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” 

And so he establishes the Office of the Holy Ministry. 

These words of Jesus were fulfilled again this morning, in our Confession and Absolution.  You came, gathered in the name of the Triune God.  But the first order of business, the first item on the liturgical agenda is dealing with the elephant in the room – sin.  How can a sinner stand before Holy God?  How can a worm like you, or me, withstand the presence of the Holy, Holy, Holy One? 

We confess our sins.  Partly because we know it’s safe to do so.  We know that our Lord Jesus Christ brings peace, not condemnation.  And so we are honest with our God and ourselves. We say what he has said about us – that we sin in thought, word and deed – sins done and undone.  Love for God and neighbor failing.  We cover it all. 

And then, and then! The best part!  John 20 springs into action.  These words of Jesus come alive for us.  “If you forgive the sins of any they are forgiven!”  The servant God puts in this place speaks the words of forgiveness Jesus commands: 

“In the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ”  I stand here in his stead.  It’s as good as if Jesus himself was standing here saying these things.  And you know that because of is command.  No pastor dares take it upon himself to forgive sins of his own right.  No one can forgive sins but God alone.  But when Jesus, who is God, commands us to do so?  Then His word is good, even if it’s through a buffoon or a scoundrel.  And there is great comfort for all of us. 

Jesus would repeat this charge to his apostles, and also to Peter whom he commanded, “Feed my lambs.  Take care of my sheep.”  And these apostles passed the blessings on to the next generation of pastors – to care for the next generation of sheep, and on through the ages of the church.  God continues calling men to preach and teach and forgive sins.  Jesus continues speaking through them.  And so his sheep, you, his people, are well cared for.   

Now on to Thomas.  He missed the first visit.  But Jesus goes out of his way to include him.  He makes a special visit.  Just like the Good Shepherd to go after the one lost sheep.  And he uses Thomas’ own words of doubt to call him to faith.  “You want to see and touch, do you?  OK, Thomas, put your fingers out – touch my wounds.  Stop doubting and believe!”  He knows just what Thomas needs. 

But not just Thomas.  Jesus knows that others will believe, even without seeing the risen Christ or touching his wounds.  Thomas was blessed to see and touch Jesus.  We are blessed to hear and come to faith by the word. 

Christ comes to his people in various ways, bringing peace and forgiveness.  He washes us in baptism.  He absolves us in the word of the pastor.  And he also invites us to His Supper. 

The Lord’s Supper!  Where the risen Christ comes to be with us in a miraculous way!  The Supper – in which he appears, not with nail-scarred hands and spear-pierced side, but under the humble forms of bread and wine.  The Supper!  The meal that brings us peace and forgiveness of sins.  The Holy Sacrament in which we do touch the body of the Lord, and he unites himself with us through eating and drinking.  And also, in this means of grace, does he strengthen our faith – and call us to “stop doubting, and believe!” 

Finally John tells us the purpose of his book – his gospel.  And really, by extension, it’s the purpose of all Holy Scripture – these things are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, and by believing, you may have life in his name. 

Jesus wants he people to have his gifts – peace, forgiveness, faith, and life!  And these words of his, like all his words – deliver what they promise. 

His word brings peace – for we know that the risen Christ is with us in mercy. 

His word brings forgiveness – so surely and personally, for he has instituted an office to deliver that forgiveness in his stead. 

His word brings faith!  It comes by hearing, yes, as the Spirit works to convict our hearts and minds – with the gift of repentance and the assurance of Christ’s blessing. 

And his word brings life – for where there is forgiveness of sins, there is life and salvation.  Where there is faith – he who believes in me will live, Jesus says.  And that life is strong, and sure and unwavering and unquenchable.  For Jesus himself lives, and in him we have life.  Jesus has conquered death, and we too shall rise.  Jesus paid the penalty of the law, so that we can say, “Where, oh death is thy sting?”  Jesus gives life, and gives it abundantly. 

Here we are, his disciples, gathered again in the echo of Easter.  Here Jesus comes among us with his gifts.  Here brings peace, forgiveness, faith and life.  Let us stop doubting and believe, and receive these gifts in great joy.  With Thomas we confess, he is, my Lord and my God.  And, Christ is risen…..