Easter 4 Yr C
Shepherd Psalm

Introduction

This Sunday is typically called "Good Shepherd" Sunday. Quick, what's the first image that pops up in your head. I thought so—a cute, cuddly sheep with lots of soft fur. And that's the first image for me as well. Yet . . .

The more I think about my "good shepherd", the more I am reminded of my "good shepherd's" care for me. When we see pictures of a shepherd we often see a shepherd's staff: the long stick with a big hook at the end. If my "good shepherd" is all cute and cuddly, what does s/he do with that staff? One of my favorite artists, British Peter Koenig, captures very clearly what the "True Shepherd" would do in this image. Yes, this is my "good shepherd", holding at bay all the wolves (or other predators) that would snip at my heels.

My "good shepherd" would also be using the staff to gently say, "No, not that way, but this way" when I am choosing to do something whose consequences I will not like or want or when I try to play in the wrong places. Could there be more love for me than that? Well, what about my "good shepherd" who keeps vigil over me when I am asleep or have my back turned to those who might harm me. I'm sure you can think of other ways your "good shepherd" has earned the title. 

Lest you overlook, notice the part in the gospel when Jesus says, "My sheep hear me . . . and follow my voice." This was powerfully brought home to me during our trip to Africa last year, visiting the "singing wells" in Kenya. There, families will get water from hand-dug "singing" wells for their goat herds. No, the wells don't "sing" but the workers do—as they are drawing up water. To complete the visual here, the wells are deep (taller than a man, sometimes two), and there is a person deep in the well with a bucket, who hands the filled bucket up to the next person in the well, who hands the bucket to the person at the top of the well, who pours the water in the trough. All they while, they are—SINGING! And not just any song but THE song that the family has sung for generations. To the point, here, the family's herd of goats recognize the song and come to the well for their water. Similarly, Jesus is singing our family's song, one that he has sung for generations. It is the song of those of us in his herd, and we come to Jesus' well for life-giving water.

I'm suggesting both fierce and tender images for "The Good Shepherd". But that's exactly what I want in my "good shepherd." I am grateful that Jesus is mine and that I'm part of His herd. Comments welcome.

John 10:22-30

At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered, “I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”

From sermon4kids.com: “When you give your heart to Jesus and place your life in his hands, you have his promise that you are safe and that nothing can snatch you from his hand. Oh, you may have your “ups and downs.” . . . Even if you really mess up, . . . he picks you up and places you right back where you belong—in the palm of his hand.”