Easter 4B + The shepherd knows the sheep + 4.25.21
Melissa Campbell-Langdell
All Saints, Oxnard
(Acts 4:5–12; Ps 23; 1 John 3:16–24; St John 10:11–18)
During the Sermon Brainwave podcast this week, one of the
commentators mentioned the story of a man he knew, a shepherd. He was at a
county fair and saw someone needing assistance with their animals, so he went
to their aid. But when he got back to his barn area he noticed that some of his
sheep were missing. He suspected a rancher from another county. So the next
month when it was time for the fair for the neighboring county, he showed up
and sure enough found his sheep in the other rancher’s barn. As he approached,
his sheep began crying for him, and the other fellow said “surely you can’t
tell these sheep apart” – indeed his sheep had been marked with the emblem of
the other ranch. But he said, “I can definitely tell these are my sheep- and
look, they know me too!”[1]
The idea of us being God’s sheep isn’t an insult to our
intelligence or some snide allusion to herd mentality. No, sheep really know
their shepherd and shepherds can tell their sheep apart very easily, just
almost like they are their children. God knows us intimately and when we cry to
God, God answers us.
This week I saw a powerful example of this around the Derek
Chauvin trial. One member of our parish texted our WhatsApp group and said,
“the jury has made a decision. Please pray for peace, no matter the outcome.”
And several of us texted back that we were praying. Later, hearing the news
coverage I heard that George Floyd’s brother was seen praying before the jury
shared their decision. And in an interview afterwards, the same brother said, “We
have been praying and praying and God answered us!” A lost sheep was crying for
help, and the Shepherd came and scooped that sheep up. I don’t say this because
I am focused on just that one individual being punished but because it was
necessary for God and us to intervene to stop the violence against our siblings
of color.
Now, did this week go entirely well? We know that the
decision, while it has the potential to begin the process of healing in our
country, is only a beginning. True gospel justice is not realized yet. We
follow the Good Shepherd. At one point, Jesus asks about the fact that the
people call him “good”, pointing out that only God is truly good (Mark 10:18).
And it is true. Other shepherds will fail us at times. Some systems and leaders
fail us more often than not. But God is the Good Shepherd. Jesus is the Good
Shepherd. And when we call out to him, when we put our faith in him, we set
ourselves up for the beginning of healing.
In Psalm 23 today we hear “The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not be in want.” And at a basic level, that is true. But we are not
totally there yet. We are still in want. In want of a system that is fair and
in want of a country that respects all people fully, just as our baptismal
values state.
But the road is made by walking. And the path is lined in
diligent prayer. So let us look to the wise example of the prayer warriors in
our lives. Because our shepherd does know our voice. And will guide us.
As we walk forward in this time- a time not yet out of
pandemic and yet somehow in which we are seeing the light at the end of the
tunnel, let us lean on Jesus. On our Good Shepherd. Not everything is good in
this world, but our God is. And our God knows what we need. Let us pray for
guidance as we reenter new situations, be they school, workplace, social or
other engagements. That we would be protected. That others would be safe also.
Give us patience with each other as we proceed, since it is all new again to
all of us.
As we move forward, we know that the Good Shepherd may lead
us into new things. We have been through a long, dark tunnel. We have seen some
things that have changed us. But we are still following the Good Shepherd. So
some things stay the same- worshipping together, fellowshipping and studying
God’s word. Serving our neighbors in need. But some aspects of those things
will change again. We may decide we’d like to keep some of our meetings on
Zoom, whereas others might be best in person. We may decide we liked some of
the collaborative work we did during the pandemic, and keep it up. We may
imagine something that looks entirely new.
But one thing is certain. Goodness and mercy pursue us.
Because instead of “follow” us, perhaps a better translation of Psalm 23 is
that goodness and mercy pursue us.[2]
The “hound of heaven” as CS Lewis called God, or if you will in this context,
the sheep dog of heaven, wants our good, wants to show us mercy, and seeks us
out to do us good. As we walk this way, our God is with us. Our Good Shepherd
is by our side. And when we call to him, he will answer. He hears us, and loves
us, and will lead us into a place of prosperity and joy.
Amen.
.jpg)
Comments
Post a Comment