May 8, 2022 – Easter +3C

John 10:22-30

“At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered, “I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand.The Father and I are one.”

In our texts today, we hear Jesus called Lord, Lamb, Messiah, and Jesus the Good Shepherd.  And in this name, Jesus calling himself the “Good Shepherd”, he is indicating that his name is a name that requires “relationship”. Names can be a riddle to us – unless we know the context.

And telling the Jews that he is the “Shepherd”, and that those who follow him are his “Sheep” seems to confuse them. Is the reason they don’t believe because they don’t belong to the flock?  And what about all of this “the Father and I are one” business?  Jesus clearly was making a statement.  He tells them He is the Messiah, the son of G-d – and He and the Father are one.  He is the shepherd of the flock, and the flock is those who hear his voice and follow him.  It is about relationship.  He knows them, each of them – just like He knows us best and loves us most.

Through the relationship we have with Jesus, the Good Shepherd, we should learn to love G-d more than life itself.  And the answers to how we do that are in the details of that relationship.  Are you willing to follow Christ our Shepherd no matter where that takes you?  Are you ready to feed his sheep and tend his lambs?  Are you ready to think of yourself last instead of first?  The details are made clear through the mystery of the cross event, and our willingness to be in relationship with Christ our Shepherd.  Are you ready to give all you have and all you are and all you will ever be to the Shepherd who gave his life for you?  And are you ready for the depth of the mystery of how much this Shepherd loves his sheep?  I know that G-d loves me and loves you, that G-d provides for me and provides for you, that G-d protects me and protects you – most importantly protects us from ourselves.  I can hear Jesus calling your name, and my name.  Do we recognize his voice and follow?

G-d is calling your name.  Jesus knows you.  You are part of his flock.  You know his voice.  It is not a riddle – but it is a mystery.  But a mystery that is not solved but is resolved in our relationship with the Good Shepherd, and with each other.  Come on home.

Pastor Dave