Lent 4
“I am the Good Shepherd”
John 10:10+
“He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those who have young.”
- Isaiah 40:11
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
“The Cross”
12 “The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So, when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away.”
Note: Hired hands represent the religious leaders who perform their duties in good times, but do not display sacrificial care for the sheep in times of trouble.
Western Shepherds
Drive their sheep from the side or from behind.
Eastern Shepherds
Lead their flock from the front calling them to move on and follow.
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
-John 16:33
“Then the wolf [Any threats we face] attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man [Anyone who “Gets going” when the going gets tough.] runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.”
What is attacking you right now?
Who (like a hired hand) is running away and
leaving you all alone?
Regardless of your answers, God is not.
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.” Jesus is “All in”. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. [Gentiles] I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” 19 The Jews who heard these words were again divided. 20 Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?” 21 But others said, “These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”
Leadership by example
“Sermons We See”
-Edgar Guest
“I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day;
I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.
The eye's a better pupil and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing, but example's always clear;
And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.”
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