Sermon Index
April 29, 2012 Easter 4B
Today is the confirmation ceremony for Sydney and Ingrid. Since last fall we have studied the Bible and Martin Luther’s Small Catechism as a correct understanding of the Bible. We started each session with song and prayer in order to grow in our spiritual life. And of course we have worshiped on Sunday mornings and helped in the service as acolyte. I hope everyone will read the “Confirmation Testimonies” that they wrote.
Part of the Confirmation ceremony is to give each person a Bible Verse. Sydney chose John 10:27-28 (a passage soon after today’s Gospel reading). “My sheep listen to my voice; and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” I asked her why she chose this verse and she said, “Because I like sheep.” I do not know if Sydney is an animal advocate or not, but throughout our Bible study, whenever we would talk about the sacrifices in the Old Testament, Sydney would protest. She wondered why those innocent sheep should be killed. She protested against the animal sacrifices in the Old Testament, especially of sheep.
In the Bible there are three major uses of sheep: wool, food, and sacrifice. As such, sheep were very valuable animals. The shepherd had to protect his sheep. First, there were wild animals, like wolves. It took a brave shepherd to face a wild wolf that would kill and scatter the sheep. Young King David protected his sheep with his slingshot, rod and staff. A hired hand would run away rather than risk himself being hurt by a wolf. But a shepherd who owned the sheep would have a special concern for the sheep, not just economically, but also because he loved the sheep almost like they were his pets. There was a bond of trust so that the sheep trusted their shepherd, too. Jesus put it this way, “14I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.” Another danger to the sheep was robbers or rustlers. Another real threat to the sheep was the possibility of becoming a sacrifice at the temple.
We look at this passage to see what it means to us. We are the sheep and Jesus is our good shepherd. Jesus does not keep us for our wool, nor for food, nor a sacrifice. Why does he keep us? He keeps us because we need a shepherd. We need protection and guidance. And there is a bond of trust between us. Jesus put it this way, “14I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.”
There are wolves that would snatch us and scatter and devour us today. Modern day wolves that come in sheep clothing are like internet identity thieves. Some people are fleeced, their wool is taken by dishonest practices, it may be legal, but still breaking the Ninth Commandment. People become like a sacrifice when used by businesses that use their labor and work them till they are tired, but do not give them proper salary or health care. And there are religious cults that would steal God’s sheep and take away their eternal salvation. This is why we in the church must faithfully preach and teach God’s Law and Gospel. It is to keep believers safe in the flock of the Good Shepherd.
But as we mentioned before, another danger to the sheep was the temple sacrifices. Innocent sheep, without spot or blemish, were burnt on the altar to forgive sin. If it sounds horrendous to you like it did to Sydney, then you are listening correctly. If it sounds offensive to kill innocent sheep for the sins of people, then you must know how offensive sin is to God. You must realize how offensive our sin is to God. God is holy and demands that we be holy, too. In the Bible, God demands death for the sinner. God demands that we, too, die for our sin. That is called justice, or righteousness.
But in his love and mercy, God has made a way for sinners to escape the punishment of God. Rather than a person die, a sheep is substituted. The sins of the person are transferred to the sheep. In this way the person becomes holy, but now the lamb is sinful and must die. In the Bible this is called sacrifice, or redemption, or expiation, or satisfaction. But all the sheep in the world cannot forgive all the sin of the world. But in his love and mercy, God has made a way for sinners to escape the punishment of God. Rather than a person die, a sheep is substituted. This is the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. Jesus Christ took upon himself our sin and he died as our substitute, in our place. In this way, we become holy, but now the Lamb of God has become sinful and must die. That is why Jesus was killed on the cross. This is called sacrifice or forgiveness or redemption or salvation or freedom.
Jesus said, “14I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.” We who know Jesus confess our sin. We thank God that Jesus is the Lamb of God to take away our sin. We rejoice that he is our Savior and our Good Shepherd. We live in his protection. He protects us from evil. He has spared us from being a sacrifice on the temple altar.
Jesus said, “16And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” Today Sydney and Ingrid confirm their faith, and at the same time, the church confirms or recognizes that they too are truly sheep in the Lord’s flock. There are other sheep not yet in the church, so today’s Gospel reading is a call for evangelism. We are also reminded that Jesus is their Shepherd also. We are reminded that God loves them and wants them protected. And so we like our Good Shepherd, guard and help those lambs that may not be in our church. We protect the dignity and human rights of all people. We feel the horror of innocent people who are killed and taken advantage of throughout the world. We are offended by it. People are much more valuable than sheep, so we pray for and support those who need help. We take our guidance from Jesus, our Good Shepherd.
Amen.
Michael Nearhood, Pastor
Okinawa Lutheran Church