Acts 4:5-12 1 John 3:16-24 John 10:11-18 Psalm 23

Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

In our account from the Acts of the Apostles, Jesus’ closest followers are gathered as prisoners on trial by high priests, elders, and scribes.  Betrayals and denial and abandonments and doubts are behind them now.  Convinced of the reality of the Resurrection, they are now understanding what it is to be called to pick up the mantle and continue the mission of the Risen Christ who is no longer present as they had known him in his earthly human nature.  By this time, Jesus had ascended to heaven, and the apostles have received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.   They draw strength from the words of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who had laid down his life for them, especially now as their lives are being sought by the same adversaries.

As we continue our journey through these weeks following Easter, we draw ourselves closer to the words of this Good Shepherd who laid his life for our redemption.  And, we listen more intently, for Jesus’ words are intended for us just as they were intended for these first century followers.

Two weeks ago, on the Second Sunday of Easter, we explored the reality of human doubt.  Through the Apostle Thomas we addressed the skepticism of the news that is too good to be true – Jesus had been raised from the dead.  Thomas encounters the Risen Christ and his doubt becomes confirmed belief.  Through Thomas, we learn that as Christians we no longer must see in order to believe.  Rather, we see because we believe.  In confronting our doubts, we draw closer to the Risen Christ.  As evangelists of the good news, we find encouragement in Jesus’ words to Thomas and guidance in our mission to help bring others through periods of doubt into the fold of believers.

Last week, again, we were gathered with the disciples as we encountered the Risen Christ transcending walls and yet physically hungry, requesting fish to eat.  Jesus affirmed the goodness of our own human nature as the ongoing physical presence of Christ in the world.  Jesus breathed peace to his disciples gathered in fear of adversaries in the days following the Resurrection.  Jesus breathes peace into our hearts as we are called to be his hands and feet and voice in the world.

And so, our journey in and through the world is a very human journey where doubt and fear are real.  Our journey in and through the world requires us to draw closer daily to Jesus Christ, to lay our hands upon the pierced wound of his side inviting him to come to us wherever we are – Jesus Christ, who assuages our doubt and brings peace to our fears through his real presence with us.

Again and again, throughout our Gospel accounts Jesus presents himself as the shepherd and us as his sheep.  This fourth Sunday of Easter is Good Shepherd Sunday.

Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”  It is a metaphor well understood by followers in first century Palestine.  To the people of first century Palestine who understood the relationship of shepherd and sheep, this is a powerful metaphor.  To their flocks, the shepherds were trustworthy, self-sacrificing protection and wise, authentic guidance.

We continue to draw upon this sacrificial trusting role of shepherd as it relates to our relationship to Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd.  Even as we commend our deceased loved ones to God, our prayer is this:

Into thy hands, O merciful Savior, we commend thy servant N.  Acknowledge, we humbly beseech thee, a sheep of thine own fold, a lamb of thine own flock, a sinner of thine own redeeming.  Receive her/him into the arms of thy mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light.   Amen.

A sheep of thine own fold, a lamb of thine own flock.  God, through Jesus Christ, is our trusted, self-sacrificing protection and wise, authentic guidance – our Good Shepherd.

With the rod and staff of Jesus Christ as our guide, we confront and explore our doubts until we find ourselves being led along the right path; we come to see because we believe; we rest in the green pastures of God’s provision.

With Jesus Christ as our protector, we confront our fears; bringing them to the Risen Christ where we invite the Good Shepherd to breathe peace into us – assurance that the evil of the world cannot separate us from God as we journey in the abiding sense of God’s overflowing grace – drawing closer and closer into the house of the Lord – a sheep of his own fold, a lamb of his own flock, a sinner of his own redeeming where goodness and mercy follow us all the days of our lives and we dwell here in the house of our Lord forever.