The Shepherd Speaks of His Father

#306

Fourth Sunday of Easter

April 21, 2013

The Shepherd Speaks of His Father

John 10:29-30

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

What a week. Bombs, fires, explosions, poison, floods, manhunts. And even with the flooding, we're mostly just watching on the sidelines. But our souls are still troubled.

After a week like this, our love of this world grows less. We more clearly see the world as it truly is—a dangerous place of evil deeds and angry rhetoric. Perhaps these finals words of the Bible recorded by St. John may resonate with you.

[Jesus said:] Behold, I am coming quickly… I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end… I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star. The Spirit and the bride [the Church] say, “Come.” And let the one who hears [the believer] say, “Come.” … [And Jesus] says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:12, 16-17, 20)

Our Good Shepherd promises to come and take us away from the vally of the shadow of death, but He hasn't yet. He seems to keep us in suspense, leaving our souls danging in the air. But as sheep who listen to Jesus' voice, our suspense is a suspense with hope.

On the other hand, the Jews who had gathered around Jesus also spoke of suspense, but it became quickly clear that they wanted no words of hope from Jesus. Jesus' response to them was no good because they weren't His sheep, so they couldn't make sense of His words.

I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. (John 10:25)

This confrontation took place shortly before Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, the event that purposely triggered His passion. So all the miracles that Jesus had done over the preceding three years proved that the only logical conclusion about His identity was that this was God in the flesh. Now they liked the miracles, but they were deeply offended by Jesus' teaching. Jesus made it clear that He and the Father are One. Read John's Gospel and see this Truth repeated by Jesus again and again.

And because He preached the truth about Himself plainly, the crowd had two extreme reactions. The good people in the crowd picked up stones to stone Him. But by the power of His Word, some unbelievers in the crowd became believers. They became His sheep and begain to listen to Him and to understand Him.

Just like today, most have a sense of a god and a heaven. Many want to please this god by doing good and moral things. This way of looking at the world is good for society, but does no good for individual souls.

For example, we see this attitude reflected in the steady praise of the good deeds done by the good people of Boston. The rescuers, the police, the doctors and nurses, and the citizens helped their neighbors in their different roles. After this tragic week, many find quick comfort in the good deeds reported on the news.

I'm relieved, as you are, and I rejoice with Bostonians and our nation that the first part of this calamity has ended. But as sheep of the Good Shepherd, we look elsewhere for lasting comfort. We find comfort in how much Jesus loves His Father in heaven.

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one. (John 10:27-30)

See how much Jesus loves His Father. He praises Him by telling the truth: the Father is greater than all. He thanks Him: no one and nothing can snatch a believer out of His Father's hand. No bombing or fire or flood, not the Devil, or even your own sinful self can stop you from believing in Jesus and His ultimate act of shepherding: laying down His life for His sheep.

Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love… Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. (John 15: 9, 13)

Dear friends, we are in good hands. Jesus promised that He has us in His good hand and He also promised that we are also in the Father's good hand.

What a week. We're thankful for the good deeds done to help those in Texas and Boston. But our hope rests in the good hands and deeds of the Father who sent His Son to die and the Son who willingly died for us. As sheep, we listen to the voice of our Shepherd, who is one with His Father. As He breathed His last breath, hear Him speak and be glad.

Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit. (John 23:46)

Amen. There's no better place to be.

In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.