4th Sunday 0f Easter
“The Good Shepherd (the Good Pastor)”
Fourth Sunday of Easter, May 3, 2020
Submitted to the church website due to Coronavirus outbreak
Scripture: Read John 10:1-18
Introduction:
John chapter nine described the healing of a man who had been born blind. Though false magicians and counterfeit miracle-workers could pull off fakes and forgeries, no one healed those who were blind from birth. Isaiah had prophesied that God’s Messiah would be able to heal the blind; Jesus answered the promise. However, not everyone was happy about the healing of the blind man. The possibilities of a Messiah they couldn’t control infuriated the religious Jewish leadership – especially the men who were members of the Jewish Sanhedrin. They weren’t happy about Jesus because, as Jesus’ power and prestige increased, their own power and prestige dimmed. And the escalating conflict prompted Jesus to teach about what we call “pastoral ministry.”
The word “pastor” comes from the Latin, pāscere, “to feed.” The same root appears in “repast,” a meal, a feeding. So, a pastor literally “feeds” the flock. He is a shepherd. But Jesus speaks of more than feeding. He refers to the whole work of caring for God’s people as “shepherding” the flock bought at such a great price.
Because Jesus comes at this topic from a couple of different angles, it seems confusing. What unites His teaching is the illustration of sheep. Using this analogy, Jesus stirs our imaginations about how we think of ourselves, of God, of Christ, of pastors, and even of our churches.
Phillip Keller drew from his many years as a shepherd to write, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, (a book I have read more than once. I would be happy to loan this book to anyone who wants to read it).
In one place Bro. Keller describes a “cast” sheep:
“This is an old English shepherd’s term for a sheep that has turned over on its back and cannot get up again by itself…. Even the largest, fattest, strongest and sometimes healthiest sheep can become ‘cast’ and be a casualty…. A ‘cast’ sheep is a very pathetic site. Lying on its back, its feet in the air, it flays away frantically struggling to stand up, without success. Sometimes it will bleat a little for help, but generally it lies there lashing about in frightened frustration. If the owner does not arrive on the scene within a reasonably short time, the sheep will die. This is but another reason why it is so essential for a careful sheep man to count his flock every day…. If one or two are missing, often his first thought is, ‘One of my sheep is cast somewhere. I must go in search and set it on its feet’” (54,61).
Keller reminds us that though the image of God’s people as sheep is common in the Bible, it isn’t very flattering. From everything I’ve read, sheep are helpless animals with limited intelligence. They’re timid and can be startled by the slightest sound; but at other times they are so stubborn that nothing moves them.
Pastor John MacArthur writes:
“Sheep are the most helpless, defenseless, straying, and dirty of animals. They require constant oversight, leading, rescue, and cleaning or they will die. Being a shepherd was good training for leading people.”
But, in spite of the negative connotations, God identifies us “sheep” and Himself as the “Shepherd.” When preaching on this passage, John MacArthur began his sermon by identifying 71 different Biblical names and titles for Jesus (everything from “Amen” to “Word of Life”). Then he said, “perhaps His most endearing and intimate title is ‘Shepherd’” Calling us “sheep” might not feel like a great complement; but being the “Good Shepherd” greatly exalts God’s care and compassion. The Good Shepherd leads us to the green pastures and cool waters of heaven. To receive that blessing, we must respond to two truths.
1. We Must Recognize a Caring, Shepherding Ministry
In the first verses of John 10, Jesus contrasts poor pastors with good ones; then in verses 11-18 He contrasts poor pastors with Himself. But self-focused, greedy leaders weren’t first exposed by Jesus in the New Testament. Centuries earlier, God commanded Ezekiel to rebuke the pastors of his day for the same reason:
Ezekiel 34:1-5 NKJV And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, (2) "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD to the shepherds: "Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? (3) You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock. (4) The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them. (5) So they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered.
And this problem didn’t end with Jesus’ ministry. The Apostle Paul warned the early church of the same danger.
Acts 20:28-35 NKJV Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. (29) For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. (30) Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. (31) Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. (32) "So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. (33) I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. (34) Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. (35) I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "
And, of course, in our Bible lesson this morning, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for failing to care for God’s people sacrificially.
We might ask, “Why does this situation continue to rear its ugly head?” The truth is that the Church is always in danger by her very nature. Think about it: Because we seek to love one another, accept one another, overlook one another’s faults, and be compassionate to one another, we become susceptible. The very forgiveness and graciousness which must characterize the church opens us to being taken advantage of.
Matthew Henry tells us:
“This sheepfold lies much exposed to thieves and robbers; crafty seducers that debauch and deceive, and cruel persecutors that destroy and devour.”
So, if we take everything the Bible teaches, we should expect false shepherds to infiltrate the church. And according to John 10:5, we should flee from them.
It would be helpful, of course, it they wore a nametag: “I AM A THIEF AND ROBBER.” But 2 Corinthians 11 reminds us that these false shepherds disguise themselves as true apostles of Christ. So, how do we recognize pastors who do not properly care for God’s people so that we receive those who do?
A. Godly Shepherds Focus on Christ (John 10:1)
John 10:1 NKJV "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
Jesus describes a community sheepfold. Everyone in the village helped build a large protective enclosure with walls or stone or branches and a single narrow doorway for the sheep to come in and go out. The villagers brought their sheep there at night. Gatekeeping duties were then hired out so the shepherds could sleep. If a shepherd needed back in the pen, he would come to the gatekeeper, who would let him in the door. A thief, on the other hand, would climb in by another way. But we need to understand what Jesus adds: “I am the door.”
So, a faithful genuine pastor enters through Jesus. That means his spiritual life begins and ends with Jesus Christ. There can be no true pastoral ministry unless a man is both converted and continuing in intimate communion with Christ. He must be genuinely converted and practice the continuous presence of Christ in his life. A preacher might be a nice guy, sweet, kind and understanding. He may be well-educated with years of experience. But Biblical pastoral ministry requires a living relationship with God through Jesus.
So too, a faithful shepherd takes us to the same door (Jesus Christ). Many pastors today are interested in a ministry which promotes the pastor, and not the Savior. Rather than make disciples of Jesus, a false pastor makes disciples of himself. We should run away from these men as fast as we can.
In contrast, Paul was a model of godly ministry in Corinth:
1 Corinthians 2:1-5 NKJV And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. (2) For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. (3) I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. (4) And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, (5) that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
In other words, Paul’s preaching and teaching and prayers and pastor training and worship leadership and counseling – everything he did converged in one glorious word – Jesus. If my ministry doesn’t bring people to Christ, there has to be a change. If the focus of my ministry is something other than Jesus Christ, then I need to leave or you need to run away.
B. Godly Shepherds Speak Soothingly (John 10:5)
John 10:5 NKJV Yet they [the sheep] will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers."
There’s an old story about a preacher who was traveling with members of his congregation in the Holy Land. Like some preachers (certainly none around here), this preacher liked to talk. While traveling from place to place through Israel, this preacher liked to tell his congregation about what they had seen, what they were seeing and about what they were about to see.
The preacher had prepared by studying particular information about sheep and shepherds. He told the people on the tour bus to be on the lookout of sheep and shepherds. “Notice how the shepherd always leads the sheep,” he said. “The shepherd knows the way and the sheep follow.”
But as the tour bus rounded a curve, there just beside the road was a flock of sheep and a man who was walking behind them. He looked determined and seemed almost to be driving the sheep. The preacher was outraged and embarrassed. Here he had been carefully explaining to his people what they should see, and here was something that just didn’t fit. He asked the bus driver to stop the bus. They all got out and the preacher ran up to the man following the herd of sheep and said to him, “Sir, I’ve just been telling my friends here that the shepherd always leads the sheep, and then we look out and we see you walking behind them. What’s up with that?” The man looked at the preacher and said, “No, you’re absolutely right. The shepherd does always walk in front and leads the sheep. But I’m the butcher.”
One moral of the story is “beware of appearances.” Another is simply, “Be careful who you follow.” Sometimes its so easy to place a preacher that we admire on a pedestal. But we need to pay attention to the message – Jesus Christ – more than the messenger
There’s a lot of sheep and shepherd imagery in the Bible. Sometimes it might not exactly resonate with us. After all, when is the last time you identified with a sheep? (Sometimes I feel like a black sheep, but I’m not sure that’s really the same thing.) But for many of those who were the original hearers of scripture, were familiar with the character and habits of sheep. People who heard the Old Testament prophets, and especially those who listened to Jesus preach all through Galilee knew that sheep tended to move along sometimes following a shepherd. But other times they wandered off entirely. Sometimes the sheep would wander into danger and by the time they realized they were in danger it was almost too late.
Certainly, those who heard Jesus preach or tell stories knew that there were many people who were asking to be followed. Biblical and historical scholars tell us that during the time of Jesus, there were many who claimed to be messiahs, who claimed to prophesy the future, who claimed to be magical, and even a few who claimed to heal. Who, then should we follow?
In today’s Bible lesson, Jesus reminds us of one way that we can always tell. He says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of My hand.” If we stay close to Jesus, through prayer and silence, through involvement at some level with a Church, by making sure we spend some time occasionally with a few holy people, we will recognize the voice of Jesus. We will feel the presence of the one who never forgets our name.
There are so many people who want us to follow them – whether it’s Donald Trump or Nancy Pelosi, Dr. Phil or Joel Osteen; whether it’s the advertisers, sports figures, the leading voices in academics or the arts – there are many, many people asking us to follow them. But as Christians, we recall that we have a name, and God whispers that name again and again, inviting us closer, inviting us to a life of love.
Today’s epistle from Revelation reminds us of the care God gives to us. Not only does God never forget our name, but God stands ready to extend to us love beyond imagination, where we are “sheltered by God’s presence.” It’s a wonderful time and a place:
Revelation 7:13-17 NKJV Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, "Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?" (14) And I said to him, "Sir, you know." So he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (15) Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. (16) They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; (17) for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
As we continue to celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ and look for evidence of His resurrection in our lives, may we “hear His voice, know Him who calls us each by name, and follow where He leads.”
One of Aesop’s fables tells about a wolf who disguised himself in the clothing of a shepherd so he could get near the sheep. He was thrilled that the sheep didn’t run away when he came near in disguise. In fact, he was so excited that he called out for the sheep to come to him. But when he opened his mouth, his howling brought the shepherd running, who killed the wolf. The voice revealed him.
Soothing speech doesn’t refer to a “radio voice,” a voice that’s pleasant to listen to. I’m talking about a voice that soothes our souls. Sheep are skittish – easily frightened and hard to calm. And we live in a scary world, one where dangers lurk around every corner. So, the faithful shepherd calms the sheep with words of encouragement and truth – the words of Jesus.
Ephesians 4:29-31 NKJV Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. (30) And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (31) Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.
But those words don’t always grow a congregation numerically. In fact, many so-called pastors find it is easier to keep a congregation by keeping them in turmoil: there’s always a crisis to overcome and disaster to avert. Agitation makes people dependent, so they stir up the sheep rather than calm them.
Obviously, the faithful pastor doesn’t cry, “Peace, peace,” when there is no peace. But we can renew our minds with the words of Ezekiel 34. God gives us pastors to comfort the afflicted, calm the fearful, strengthen the weak, care for the wounded, and seek the lost. There is certainly a time to challenge complacency and confront worldliness. But words of encouragement at the vastness of God’s grace must characterize the true shepherd’s pulpit.
C. Godly Shepherds Devote Their Lives to You (John 10:12-13)
John 10:12-13 NKJV But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. (13) The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep.
I’ve heard many vocation stories and the story line is usually pretty similar. It goes something like this, “I had fame, success, power, money, boyfriend, girlfriend, great career, etc. and then Jesus came into my life and now I am living a life of poverty, chastity and obedience and serving God with the needy and less fortunate.” Thanks be to God for the grace to make such radical changes in our lives. But I think we’re missing the point when we focus on what we have to give up for Christ’s sake.
Jesus’ words in our Bible lesson, “I came that they might have life and have it more abundantly,” should impress on our hearts the deeper truth that He has not come to take what is ours but to give us what is truly His and His alone – eternal life – and all the good that this life brings. We experience the goodness of God in our vocations when we focus more on God’s offer divine goodness rather than on the sacrifices that Jesus is asking from us.
The focus of the Psalmist isn’t on what he does or what he gives up for the Lord/Shepherd but on what the Lord/Shepherd offers to him:
Psalms 23:1-3 NKJV A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (2) He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. (3) He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.
Being a leader in the church offers the pastor a level of authority that few people find elsewhere. As a result, sometimes men may enter the ministry with mixed motives. Then they find it easier to claim to care for God’s people than to give up their own preferences and goals. That’s exactly the danger Jesus warns us about.
Donald Carson explains the verse:
“When care for the flock is neither too arduous nor too dangerous, he is willing to work and receive his pay; but when there is danger to his skin, he retires forthwith and abandons the sheep.”
There is a danger with pastors with a divided heart. Shepherding work often requires setting aside personal preferences and private successes in order to fulfill the calling of God.
A few years ago, a pastor wrote an article in a magazine in which he swore off pastoral counseling. He said he was tired of people who wanted the problems to go away but were unwilling to change. I understand his frustration. But there is no work more important for a pastor than sitting across the table from a member of the congregation, with an open Bible, working on the problems that we struggle with.
Flee from the pastor who cares more for his comfort than for your soul.
We could explore other marks of a faithful shepherding ministry. But far and away the most important way I can care for your soul is point you to Jesus Christ.
2. We Must Respond to the Good Shepherd
Jesus reminds us of several ways He cares for us.
First, he calls us by name. Even though a shepherd kept his sheep in a community pen with other sheep, he would stand outside and call his own by name and they would come to him. Jesus knows your name. If you’re a Christian, it’s because He called you personally. Tommy Walker wrote a beautiful song about this:
“I have a Maker, He formed my heart. Before even time began, my life was in His hand. He knows my name; He knows my every thought. He sees each tear that falls, and He hears me when I call.”
Second, He speaks a good word. Each of us knows how important it is that we get good advice, wise counsel, hope for our fearful heart, strength for our timid soul, a salve for our guilty conscience. The good shepherd has left us with a perfect word. We lack nothing to equip us for every good work.
As the Good Shepherd, He admits us into heaven. Jesus doesn’t provide a way to heaven. He IS the gate, the only way to enter into eternal joy. We don’t have key to let ourselves in, we have no money to bribe the gatekeeper, we have no right to demand entrance. But Jesus Himself opens the way to the Father. He invites all who are weary and heavy laden to come and find rest for our souls.
He actively and diligently searches out the lost. Every shepherd knows that sheep wander away and need help. Jesus doesn’t leave His own to flail around without help and provision. He is the ultimate Good Shepherd. He seeks and finds and restores our souls. There may be someone reading this sermon who has wandered and is wondering if God knows, if God cares, if God seeks you. He is here today – He is calling you back to Himself; He searches and finds the lost and restores your soul.
He knows us. Every one of us has secrets, areas of our heart and life where we know we would lose friends if they knew what we’re really like. Jesus knows. He knew before He created you. He knows every struggle, every fear, every failure. He knows all about us and He loves us. What a comforting thought!
Of course, the critical work that unites all the ministry of the Good Shepherd is that He lays down His life for the sheep. He wasn’t caught in an unfortunate set of circumstances which resulted in Him being murdered before His time. His life was not taken away from Him; He chose the time and place and manner – He laid it down of his own will to save the sheep.
3. Conclusion
There’s a wonderful scene in Prince Caspian, the second book in C. S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia series. (The book tells the story of the Pevensie children's second trip to Narnia, a year after their first. They are drawn back by the power of Susan's horn, blown by Prince Caspian to summon help in his hour of need. Narnia as they knew it is no more, as 1,300 years have passed, their castle is in ruins, and all Narnians have retreated so far within themselves that only Aslan's magic can wake them. Caspian has fled into the woods to escape his uncle, Miraz, who has usurped the throne. The children set out once again to save Narnia in a pitched battle between good and evil.)
The children are trying to find their way to Caspian’s camp, and they come to the edge of a deep gorge. The way ahead isn’t clear, but then Lucy cries out, “Look! Look! Look!”
“Where? What?” everyone asks.
“The Lion” Lucy says. “Aslan himself (Aslan the lion is a symbol of Jesus Christ). Didn’t you see?”
But no one else can see Aslan, and the majority vote to go the other way. Eventually they run into enemy troops and must retrace their steps back the way they came. That night, once again, Aslan appears to Lucy, and once again she has to try to persuade the others to follow her as she follows him.
“Will the others see you too?” she asks Aslan.
“Certainly not at first,” he replies. “Later on, it depends.”
Lucy then realizes that she has to go with him “whether anyone else does or not.”
Whether anyone else does or not. Christ causes division (verses 19-21).
John 10:19-21 NKJV Therefore there was a division again among the Jews because of these sayings. (20) And many of them said, "He has a demon and is mad. Why do you listen to Him?" (21) Others said, "These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?"
The time was the late 1800s. It was a time before most of our modern forms of entertainment – before movies, before television, before the internet, even before radio. Entertainment consisted of traveling groups of actors who went from town to town.
One such actor went into a small mid-western town. The town hall was packed, the audience was wildly enthusiastic as a famous orator recited passages from great plays, poems, and literature. At the end of the performance, they shouted for more. The actor agreed to take a few requests.
Immediately, a hand shot up. The hand belonged to an older man with a weather-beaten face and clothes that were clean but definitely patched and had seen better days. "Would you… could you…do the 23rd Psalm, please?" he asked.
The actor thought for a minute, then said, "I’ll do it on one condition. After I have finished, you will come up and recite it, also." Puzzled, the old man agreed.
The orator began, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want…." As he went, he infused the words will all the tricks of his art. One by one, the phrases known and loved by all rolled off his tongue. "He leadeth me beside the still waters, he restoreth my soul… Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me."
When all the words of the great beloved psalm were delivered with the great art of a trained and talented voice, the audience gave the actor yet another enthusiastic ovation.
Then the man who had requested the psalm came up. His face wasn’t handsome, and his voice was thick and uncultured. He stumbled through his recitation of the psalm. His voice was clearly untrained for public speaking. But, as he began to speak, his face took on a glow of joy, and the love almost leaped from his mouth with the words. His recitation was punctuated with a wide smile and an occasional tear.
When he concluded, "Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in house of the Lord forever," the only sound in the hall was the rustle of handkerchiefs as people brushed away tears.
The silence was finally broken when the actor stepped forward and said, "Now you know why I wanted him to follow me. It's just as I thought. You see, I know the Psalm, but he, he knows the Shepherd.
Each of us must decide if we will follow Jesus, the Good Shepherd, whether anyone else does or not. Why should we follow a man that some claim is insane, or has a demon? But we know that Jesus is neither insane nor possessed by a demon. Because He is the Good Shepherd, we will not want. He gives life abundantly, and all His own hear Him calling and follow.
Fourth Sunday of Easter, May 3, 2020
Submitted to the church website due to Coronavirus outbreak
Scripture: Read John 10:1-18
Introduction:
John chapter nine described the healing of a man who had been born blind. Though false magicians and counterfeit miracle-workers could pull off fakes and forgeries, no one healed those who were blind from birth. Isaiah had prophesied that God’s Messiah would be able to heal the blind; Jesus answered the promise. However, not everyone was happy about the healing of the blind man. The possibilities of a Messiah they couldn’t control infuriated the religious Jewish leadership – especially the men who were members of the Jewish Sanhedrin. They weren’t happy about Jesus because, as Jesus’ power and prestige increased, their own power and prestige dimmed. And the escalating conflict prompted Jesus to teach about what we call “pastoral ministry.”
The word “pastor” comes from the Latin, pāscere, “to feed.” The same root appears in “repast,” a meal, a feeding. So, a pastor literally “feeds” the flock. He is a shepherd. But Jesus speaks of more than feeding. He refers to the whole work of caring for God’s people as “shepherding” the flock bought at such a great price.
Because Jesus comes at this topic from a couple of different angles, it seems confusing. What unites His teaching is the illustration of sheep. Using this analogy, Jesus stirs our imaginations about how we think of ourselves, of God, of Christ, of pastors, and even of our churches.
Phillip Keller drew from his many years as a shepherd to write, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, (a book I have read more than once. I would be happy to loan this book to anyone who wants to read it).
In one place Bro. Keller describes a “cast” sheep:
“This is an old English shepherd’s term for a sheep that has turned over on its back and cannot get up again by itself…. Even the largest, fattest, strongest and sometimes healthiest sheep can become ‘cast’ and be a casualty…. A ‘cast’ sheep is a very pathetic site. Lying on its back, its feet in the air, it flays away frantically struggling to stand up, without success. Sometimes it will bleat a little for help, but generally it lies there lashing about in frightened frustration. If the owner does not arrive on the scene within a reasonably short time, the sheep will die. This is but another reason why it is so essential for a careful sheep man to count his flock every day…. If one or two are missing, often his first thought is, ‘One of my sheep is cast somewhere. I must go in search and set it on its feet’” (54,61).
Keller reminds us that though the image of God’s people as sheep is common in the Bible, it isn’t very flattering. From everything I’ve read, sheep are helpless animals with limited intelligence. They’re timid and can be startled by the slightest sound; but at other times they are so stubborn that nothing moves them.
Pastor John MacArthur writes:
“Sheep are the most helpless, defenseless, straying, and dirty of animals. They require constant oversight, leading, rescue, and cleaning or they will die. Being a shepherd was good training for leading people.”
But, in spite of the negative connotations, God identifies us “sheep” and Himself as the “Shepherd.” When preaching on this passage, John MacArthur began his sermon by identifying 71 different Biblical names and titles for Jesus (everything from “Amen” to “Word of Life”). Then he said, “perhaps His most endearing and intimate title is ‘Shepherd’” Calling us “sheep” might not feel like a great complement; but being the “Good Shepherd” greatly exalts God’s care and compassion. The Good Shepherd leads us to the green pastures and cool waters of heaven. To receive that blessing, we must respond to two truths.
1. We Must Recognize a Caring, Shepherding Ministry
In the first verses of John 10, Jesus contrasts poor pastors with good ones; then in verses 11-18 He contrasts poor pastors with Himself. But self-focused, greedy leaders weren’t first exposed by Jesus in the New Testament. Centuries earlier, God commanded Ezekiel to rebuke the pastors of his day for the same reason:
Ezekiel 34:1-5 NKJV And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, (2) "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD to the shepherds: "Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? (3) You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock. (4) The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them. (5) So they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered.
And this problem didn’t end with Jesus’ ministry. The Apostle Paul warned the early church of the same danger.
Acts 20:28-35 NKJV Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. (29) For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. (30) Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. (31) Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. (32) "So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. (33) I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. (34) Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. (35) I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "
And, of course, in our Bible lesson this morning, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for failing to care for God’s people sacrificially.
We might ask, “Why does this situation continue to rear its ugly head?” The truth is that the Church is always in danger by her very nature. Think about it: Because we seek to love one another, accept one another, overlook one another’s faults, and be compassionate to one another, we become susceptible. The very forgiveness and graciousness which must characterize the church opens us to being taken advantage of.
Matthew Henry tells us:
“This sheepfold lies much exposed to thieves and robbers; crafty seducers that debauch and deceive, and cruel persecutors that destroy and devour.”
So, if we take everything the Bible teaches, we should expect false shepherds to infiltrate the church. And according to John 10:5, we should flee from them.
It would be helpful, of course, it they wore a nametag: “I AM A THIEF AND ROBBER.” But 2 Corinthians 11 reminds us that these false shepherds disguise themselves as true apostles of Christ. So, how do we recognize pastors who do not properly care for God’s people so that we receive those who do?
A. Godly Shepherds Focus on Christ (John 10:1)
John 10:1 NKJV "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
Jesus describes a community sheepfold. Everyone in the village helped build a large protective enclosure with walls or stone or branches and a single narrow doorway for the sheep to come in and go out. The villagers brought their sheep there at night. Gatekeeping duties were then hired out so the shepherds could sleep. If a shepherd needed back in the pen, he would come to the gatekeeper, who would let him in the door. A thief, on the other hand, would climb in by another way. But we need to understand what Jesus adds: “I am the door.”
So, a faithful genuine pastor enters through Jesus. That means his spiritual life begins and ends with Jesus Christ. There can be no true pastoral ministry unless a man is both converted and continuing in intimate communion with Christ. He must be genuinely converted and practice the continuous presence of Christ in his life. A preacher might be a nice guy, sweet, kind and understanding. He may be well-educated with years of experience. But Biblical pastoral ministry requires a living relationship with God through Jesus.
So too, a faithful shepherd takes us to the same door (Jesus Christ). Many pastors today are interested in a ministry which promotes the pastor, and not the Savior. Rather than make disciples of Jesus, a false pastor makes disciples of himself. We should run away from these men as fast as we can.
In contrast, Paul was a model of godly ministry in Corinth:
1 Corinthians 2:1-5 NKJV And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. (2) For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. (3) I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. (4) And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, (5) that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
In other words, Paul’s preaching and teaching and prayers and pastor training and worship leadership and counseling – everything he did converged in one glorious word – Jesus. If my ministry doesn’t bring people to Christ, there has to be a change. If the focus of my ministry is something other than Jesus Christ, then I need to leave or you need to run away.
B. Godly Shepherds Speak Soothingly (John 10:5)
John 10:5 NKJV Yet they [the sheep] will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers."
There’s an old story about a preacher who was traveling with members of his congregation in the Holy Land. Like some preachers (certainly none around here), this preacher liked to talk. While traveling from place to place through Israel, this preacher liked to tell his congregation about what they had seen, what they were seeing and about what they were about to see.
The preacher had prepared by studying particular information about sheep and shepherds. He told the people on the tour bus to be on the lookout of sheep and shepherds. “Notice how the shepherd always leads the sheep,” he said. “The shepherd knows the way and the sheep follow.”
But as the tour bus rounded a curve, there just beside the road was a flock of sheep and a man who was walking behind them. He looked determined and seemed almost to be driving the sheep. The preacher was outraged and embarrassed. Here he had been carefully explaining to his people what they should see, and here was something that just didn’t fit. He asked the bus driver to stop the bus. They all got out and the preacher ran up to the man following the herd of sheep and said to him, “Sir, I’ve just been telling my friends here that the shepherd always leads the sheep, and then we look out and we see you walking behind them. What’s up with that?” The man looked at the preacher and said, “No, you’re absolutely right. The shepherd does always walk in front and leads the sheep. But I’m the butcher.”
One moral of the story is “beware of appearances.” Another is simply, “Be careful who you follow.” Sometimes its so easy to place a preacher that we admire on a pedestal. But we need to pay attention to the message – Jesus Christ – more than the messenger
There’s a lot of sheep and shepherd imagery in the Bible. Sometimes it might not exactly resonate with us. After all, when is the last time you identified with a sheep? (Sometimes I feel like a black sheep, but I’m not sure that’s really the same thing.) But for many of those who were the original hearers of scripture, were familiar with the character and habits of sheep. People who heard the Old Testament prophets, and especially those who listened to Jesus preach all through Galilee knew that sheep tended to move along sometimes following a shepherd. But other times they wandered off entirely. Sometimes the sheep would wander into danger and by the time they realized they were in danger it was almost too late.
Certainly, those who heard Jesus preach or tell stories knew that there were many people who were asking to be followed. Biblical and historical scholars tell us that during the time of Jesus, there were many who claimed to be messiahs, who claimed to prophesy the future, who claimed to be magical, and even a few who claimed to heal. Who, then should we follow?
In today’s Bible lesson, Jesus reminds us of one way that we can always tell. He says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of My hand.” If we stay close to Jesus, through prayer and silence, through involvement at some level with a Church, by making sure we spend some time occasionally with a few holy people, we will recognize the voice of Jesus. We will feel the presence of the one who never forgets our name.
There are so many people who want us to follow them – whether it’s Donald Trump or Nancy Pelosi, Dr. Phil or Joel Osteen; whether it’s the advertisers, sports figures, the leading voices in academics or the arts – there are many, many people asking us to follow them. But as Christians, we recall that we have a name, and God whispers that name again and again, inviting us closer, inviting us to a life of love.
Today’s epistle from Revelation reminds us of the care God gives to us. Not only does God never forget our name, but God stands ready to extend to us love beyond imagination, where we are “sheltered by God’s presence.” It’s a wonderful time and a place:
Revelation 7:13-17 NKJV Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, "Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?" (14) And I said to him, "Sir, you know." So he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (15) Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. (16) They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; (17) for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
As we continue to celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ and look for evidence of His resurrection in our lives, may we “hear His voice, know Him who calls us each by name, and follow where He leads.”
One of Aesop’s fables tells about a wolf who disguised himself in the clothing of a shepherd so he could get near the sheep. He was thrilled that the sheep didn’t run away when he came near in disguise. In fact, he was so excited that he called out for the sheep to come to him. But when he opened his mouth, his howling brought the shepherd running, who killed the wolf. The voice revealed him.
Soothing speech doesn’t refer to a “radio voice,” a voice that’s pleasant to listen to. I’m talking about a voice that soothes our souls. Sheep are skittish – easily frightened and hard to calm. And we live in a scary world, one where dangers lurk around every corner. So, the faithful shepherd calms the sheep with words of encouragement and truth – the words of Jesus.
Ephesians 4:29-31 NKJV Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. (30) And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (31) Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.
But those words don’t always grow a congregation numerically. In fact, many so-called pastors find it is easier to keep a congregation by keeping them in turmoil: there’s always a crisis to overcome and disaster to avert. Agitation makes people dependent, so they stir up the sheep rather than calm them.
Obviously, the faithful pastor doesn’t cry, “Peace, peace,” when there is no peace. But we can renew our minds with the words of Ezekiel 34. God gives us pastors to comfort the afflicted, calm the fearful, strengthen the weak, care for the wounded, and seek the lost. There is certainly a time to challenge complacency and confront worldliness. But words of encouragement at the vastness of God’s grace must characterize the true shepherd’s pulpit.
C. Godly Shepherds Devote Their Lives to You (John 10:12-13)
John 10:12-13 NKJV But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. (13) The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep.
I’ve heard many vocation stories and the story line is usually pretty similar. It goes something like this, “I had fame, success, power, money, boyfriend, girlfriend, great career, etc. and then Jesus came into my life and now I am living a life of poverty, chastity and obedience and serving God with the needy and less fortunate.” Thanks be to God for the grace to make such radical changes in our lives. But I think we’re missing the point when we focus on what we have to give up for Christ’s sake.
Jesus’ words in our Bible lesson, “I came that they might have life and have it more abundantly,” should impress on our hearts the deeper truth that He has not come to take what is ours but to give us what is truly His and His alone – eternal life – and all the good that this life brings. We experience the goodness of God in our vocations when we focus more on God’s offer divine goodness rather than on the sacrifices that Jesus is asking from us.
The focus of the Psalmist isn’t on what he does or what he gives up for the Lord/Shepherd but on what the Lord/Shepherd offers to him:
Psalms 23:1-3 NKJV A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (2) He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. (3) He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.
Being a leader in the church offers the pastor a level of authority that few people find elsewhere. As a result, sometimes men may enter the ministry with mixed motives. Then they find it easier to claim to care for God’s people than to give up their own preferences and goals. That’s exactly the danger Jesus warns us about.
Donald Carson explains the verse:
“When care for the flock is neither too arduous nor too dangerous, he is willing to work and receive his pay; but when there is danger to his skin, he retires forthwith and abandons the sheep.”
There is a danger with pastors with a divided heart. Shepherding work often requires setting aside personal preferences and private successes in order to fulfill the calling of God.
A few years ago, a pastor wrote an article in a magazine in which he swore off pastoral counseling. He said he was tired of people who wanted the problems to go away but were unwilling to change. I understand his frustration. But there is no work more important for a pastor than sitting across the table from a member of the congregation, with an open Bible, working on the problems that we struggle with.
Flee from the pastor who cares more for his comfort than for your soul.
We could explore other marks of a faithful shepherding ministry. But far and away the most important way I can care for your soul is point you to Jesus Christ.
2. We Must Respond to the Good Shepherd
Jesus reminds us of several ways He cares for us.
First, he calls us by name. Even though a shepherd kept his sheep in a community pen with other sheep, he would stand outside and call his own by name and they would come to him. Jesus knows your name. If you’re a Christian, it’s because He called you personally. Tommy Walker wrote a beautiful song about this:
“I have a Maker, He formed my heart. Before even time began, my life was in His hand. He knows my name; He knows my every thought. He sees each tear that falls, and He hears me when I call.”
Second, He speaks a good word. Each of us knows how important it is that we get good advice, wise counsel, hope for our fearful heart, strength for our timid soul, a salve for our guilty conscience. The good shepherd has left us with a perfect word. We lack nothing to equip us for every good work.
As the Good Shepherd, He admits us into heaven. Jesus doesn’t provide a way to heaven. He IS the gate, the only way to enter into eternal joy. We don’t have key to let ourselves in, we have no money to bribe the gatekeeper, we have no right to demand entrance. But Jesus Himself opens the way to the Father. He invites all who are weary and heavy laden to come and find rest for our souls.
He actively and diligently searches out the lost. Every shepherd knows that sheep wander away and need help. Jesus doesn’t leave His own to flail around without help and provision. He is the ultimate Good Shepherd. He seeks and finds and restores our souls. There may be someone reading this sermon who has wandered and is wondering if God knows, if God cares, if God seeks you. He is here today – He is calling you back to Himself; He searches and finds the lost and restores your soul.
He knows us. Every one of us has secrets, areas of our heart and life where we know we would lose friends if they knew what we’re really like. Jesus knows. He knew before He created you. He knows every struggle, every fear, every failure. He knows all about us and He loves us. What a comforting thought!
Of course, the critical work that unites all the ministry of the Good Shepherd is that He lays down His life for the sheep. He wasn’t caught in an unfortunate set of circumstances which resulted in Him being murdered before His time. His life was not taken away from Him; He chose the time and place and manner – He laid it down of his own will to save the sheep.
3. Conclusion
There’s a wonderful scene in Prince Caspian, the second book in C. S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia series. (The book tells the story of the Pevensie children's second trip to Narnia, a year after their first. They are drawn back by the power of Susan's horn, blown by Prince Caspian to summon help in his hour of need. Narnia as they knew it is no more, as 1,300 years have passed, their castle is in ruins, and all Narnians have retreated so far within themselves that only Aslan's magic can wake them. Caspian has fled into the woods to escape his uncle, Miraz, who has usurped the throne. The children set out once again to save Narnia in a pitched battle between good and evil.)
The children are trying to find their way to Caspian’s camp, and they come to the edge of a deep gorge. The way ahead isn’t clear, but then Lucy cries out, “Look! Look! Look!”
“Where? What?” everyone asks.
“The Lion” Lucy says. “Aslan himself (Aslan the lion is a symbol of Jesus Christ). Didn’t you see?”
But no one else can see Aslan, and the majority vote to go the other way. Eventually they run into enemy troops and must retrace their steps back the way they came. That night, once again, Aslan appears to Lucy, and once again she has to try to persuade the others to follow her as she follows him.
“Will the others see you too?” she asks Aslan.
“Certainly not at first,” he replies. “Later on, it depends.”
Lucy then realizes that she has to go with him “whether anyone else does or not.”
Whether anyone else does or not. Christ causes division (verses 19-21).
John 10:19-21 NKJV Therefore there was a division again among the Jews because of these sayings. (20) And many of them said, "He has a demon and is mad. Why do you listen to Him?" (21) Others said, "These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?"
The time was the late 1800s. It was a time before most of our modern forms of entertainment – before movies, before television, before the internet, even before radio. Entertainment consisted of traveling groups of actors who went from town to town.
One such actor went into a small mid-western town. The town hall was packed, the audience was wildly enthusiastic as a famous orator recited passages from great plays, poems, and literature. At the end of the performance, they shouted for more. The actor agreed to take a few requests.
Immediately, a hand shot up. The hand belonged to an older man with a weather-beaten face and clothes that were clean but definitely patched and had seen better days. "Would you… could you…do the 23rd Psalm, please?" he asked.
The actor thought for a minute, then said, "I’ll do it on one condition. After I have finished, you will come up and recite it, also." Puzzled, the old man agreed.
The orator began, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want…." As he went, he infused the words will all the tricks of his art. One by one, the phrases known and loved by all rolled off his tongue. "He leadeth me beside the still waters, he restoreth my soul… Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me."
When all the words of the great beloved psalm were delivered with the great art of a trained and talented voice, the audience gave the actor yet another enthusiastic ovation.
Then the man who had requested the psalm came up. His face wasn’t handsome, and his voice was thick and uncultured. He stumbled through his recitation of the psalm. His voice was clearly untrained for public speaking. But, as he began to speak, his face took on a glow of joy, and the love almost leaped from his mouth with the words. His recitation was punctuated with a wide smile and an occasional tear.
When he concluded, "Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in house of the Lord forever," the only sound in the hall was the rustle of handkerchiefs as people brushed away tears.
The silence was finally broken when the actor stepped forward and said, "Now you know why I wanted him to follow me. It's just as I thought. You see, I know the Psalm, but he, he knows the Shepherd.
Each of us must decide if we will follow Jesus, the Good Shepherd, whether anyone else does or not. Why should we follow a man that some claim is insane, or has a demon? But we know that Jesus is neither insane nor possessed by a demon. Because He is the Good Shepherd, we will not want. He gives life abundantly, and all His own hear Him calling and follow.