Wednesday after the Third Sunday of Easter - Divine Service Video and Sermon Text
Video of Divine Service at St. Luke, Rensselaer
Wednesday after the third Sunday of Easter
John 10:11-16
Alleluia! Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
O Lord, let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, my rock and my redeemer. Amen.
The Hymn of the Day, 709 The King of Love My Shepherd Is, is not just a lovely paraphrase of Psalm 23. The author of the text, Henry W. Baker (1821-1877) artistically connects us with additional Bible stories his poetry. For example, verse 3: “Perverse and foolish often I strayed, but yet in love He sought me. And on His shoulder gently laid, and home rejoicing brought me.” He is connecting us with the beautiful imagery of the Parable of the Lost Sheep from Luke 15:3-7. Chapter 15 contains three parables that tell of something valuable that is lost and then found after much worry and concern. When found, the parable announces that there is great joy on earth and in heaven. In the Parable of the Lost Sheep, the Shepherd chooses to leave the 99 sheep to search out the one lost sheep. We are told in verse 5 that when the shepherd found his lost sheep, “he lays the sheep on his shoulders, rejoicing.”
When we learn of that which is lost, we must ask the question: “why are the lost lost?” The sheep is lost because it wandered away – sweeter grass always lays a bit further away. It is just within a sheep’s nature to wander away.
Ezekiel – writing from within Babylonian Captivity in the sixth century before Christ – prophecies that the lost sheep of Israel will be found. Sadly, these sheep did not wander off following innocent curiosity. They are lost because of the foolish, self-centered, sinful decisions and behavior of their leaders. It was common practice in that part of the world to speak of the political rulers as shepherds. A good leader, like a good shepherd, keeps those under his care safe and provides food. A good leader also develops useful alliances that promote fair trade so that his people may flourish economically. Political leaders also set aa tone of expectation for spiritual leaders. A selfish political leader that takes advantage of those entrusted to his care, encourages others to take advantage. Wealth, influence, and power all too quickly become idols. Before long, the Lord God is replaced by sensuous fake gods that promise an easy life filled with riches.
The Lord our God sees all. The Lord’s eyes and ears are wide open. He is not fooled. He sees into crooked men’s hearts and their wicked intentions. So, when the Lord sends His commonsense Word via Holy Writ and prophets, but is flagrantly ignored, and His faithful servants are ridiculed or silenced, and His patience runs out, the Lord’s anger and justice fall upon those who are accountable. The leaders, whether political, spiritual, or business, are held accountable for the way in which the sheep under their stewardship are scattered and lost, as a result.
The first ten verses of Ezekiel address leaders. But, the verses for our consideration, speak of God’s promises. We are assured by the Lord that no sheep are lost forever. When human shepherds fail, the Lord becomes the good shepherd who loves his flock. He seeks them out. He aims to rescue and restore them.
God intends to search through the Babylonian controlled regions and countries in which the exiled are spread. He will find the lost. He promises to bring them home to Israel in order to rebuild, to live, to flourish. Hear again what God promises in Ezekiel 34:15-16, “15 I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord GOD. 16 I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice.”
God’s intervention to save, to give hope, and to extend promises prepares Israel and Gentiles to receive God’s Son. There can be no greater comfort for us to know the lengths to which our Lord and God goes to secure our salvation. Jesus, our Good Shepherd, lays down his life for the sheep. Verse four of the Hymn of the Day says, “In death’s dark vale I fear no ill with Thee, dear Lord, beside me. Thy rod and staff, my comfort still. Thy cross before to guide me.”
In Jesus’ crucifixion, we see how closely “Thou are with me.” The images of life and support that the hymn draws our attention to, for example: “streams of living water” “verdant pastures” “food celestial feedeth” “table full of food” “the overflowing chalice” display the new life that comes by the cross of Christ. The Apostle Paul says in Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” He gives his life, so that we may have life, an abundant life, that will continue into our heavenly glory.
We, who are lost, are found. Regardless of whether you wander off or sin, He desires to find you. He cares for you. He shares with you His gifts of forgiveness, Word, presence, and abundant grace. In response to the Lord’s benevolence we sing: And so through all the length of days Thy goodness faileth never; Good Shepherd, may I sing Thy praise within Thy house forever!
Alleluia! Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
The peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
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