April 25, 2021 Easter 4B
A good way to understand a Bible passages is to put yourself into the story. In that way we can easily hear the Holy Spirit speaking to us. In today’s Gospel reading there are four characters: The Good Shepherd, the Sheep, the Hired Hand, and the Wolf. The Good Shepherd is Jesus, but we are often like the Sheep, the Hired Hand, and even the Wolf. Today let’s see how the Good Shepherd interacts with us as we take each role, as the Sheep, Hired Hand, and the Wolf.
As Sheep. Underneath that fluffy fleece hides our vulnerability. Sheep cannot protect themselves, and we know our weakness. There are many problems in this world that we cannot defend ourselves against. And so we turn to someone or something that will give us protection. Unfortunately, we sinners no longer completely trust the Good Shepherd because it seems that he has not kept all the problems of life away from us. And so at the first sign of danger we are prone to scatter. That is, we panic. We do not fully trust God to take care of us. Sheep like to flock together. We people like to, too. As Christians our flock is the church. But does it matter whether we stay in the flock or scatter? Does it matter either way, because when the Wolf comes, he will kill us. We will die of disease or an accident and anyway struggle through life.
But Jesus is the Good Shepherd for the Sheep. By laying down his life, he saves our lives. He becomes easy prey for the Wolf. And so sin, death, and the devil attack him rather than us. Now we have the protection we need to remain part of God’s flock. We no longer need to fear the threat of the Wolf, the world, sin, death or the devil. We need not run away; we can remain with the flock. The Good Shepherd takes care of us. We will never be abandoned, and so we can be at peace even with our vulnerabilities.
As a Hired Hand. Rather than a sheep, perhaps you are the Hired Hand of the parable. I am a hired hand. Religious leaders, medical professionals, educators, government employees, law enforcement people, military people, managers, politicians and the like are all people who are paid to care of people, of sheep. We might add those who are not hired for pay, like parents and volunteers. They have responsibility for others. They have to look out for others, and they have to look out for themselves, too. When there is trouble or danger they are called on to help and protect those sheep-like people who can not protect themselves. Usually they do a good job, but sometimes a most ferocious Wolf comes. It is a problem that overwhelms even the best of the Hired Hands. They cannot stop the attack. Do they stay and fight and get killed or run away for safety? If they do not lose their job, perhaps they can come back to work another day.
But Jesus is the Good Shepherd for the Sheep and for the Hired Hand. By laying down his life, he saves our lives. He becomes easy prey for the Wolf. And so sin, death, and the devil attack him rather than us. So now we have the protection we need to remain with God’s flock. We no longer need fear the threat of the Wolf, the world, sin, death or the devil. We need not run away; we can remain with the flock. The Good Shepherd takes care of us. And so we can take care of the Sheep in our care. We will never be abandoned, and so we can be at peace even with our fears and weaknesses.
As Hired Hands, Jesus helps us take care of others. He has given us more than a shepherd’s crook; he has given us his Holy Word and the Sacraments. He has given us grace, mercy, patience, and forgiveness and these are tools and techniques which are what we need to take care of our sheep, the people who are in our care. We learn from the Good Shepherd how to be good shepherds, good hired hands.
As a Wolf. Yes, often we are like wolves. There is sin in us. That sin wants to feed on others in order to live. It is the nature of wolves to eat sheep. It is the nature of sin to attack other people. Sin has to use and feed on others in order to live. And like a wolf, we hurt others. But this behavior enrages the owner of the sheep. God will destroy the Wolf, sin, and the devil. And that is why Jesus came to our world.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd for the Sheep and for the Hired Hand and for the Wolf.
By laying down his life, Jesus spares the sheep from death. But he is attacked instead of us. And in this way, even the Wolf is saved. Even our inner wolf is saved. That is because we the wolf can feed on the sacrifice of the Good Shepherd rather than on the Sheep or the Hired Hand. We no longer need to fear the wolf of sin and death.
Can the Wolves and Hired Hands and Sheep all live peacefully in the same flock? Yes, if Jesus is the Good Shepherd. We all need the Good Shepherd. As Sheep, we have our vulnerabilities and weaknesses, but we will never be abandoned. As Hired Hands, we have limited experiences and resources and abilities, but we will care for the flock that Jesus has given us. As the Wolf, our inner self is still sinful and wants to attack, but instead of attacking the Sheep or Hired Hand, we will hear the voice of the Good Shepherd. He is the only sacrificial victim that is necessary. Then will the prophecy of Isaiah 11:6 be fulfilled.
“The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.”
Amen.
I thank Mark A. Marius at Crossings.org for helpful insights for preaching on this text.
Michael Nearhood, Pastor
Okinawa Lutheran Church
