John 10:1-10 "I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. 3 The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice." 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them. 7 Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Grace, mercy and peace to you from God our Father through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. Our text is the Gospel lesson, especially these words, “He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.”
Dear friends in Christ. Shepherds care for the sheep, that is their job. They take the defenseless sheep out into the open country, and watch over them while they graze. When a predator arrives, hungry to eat the sheep, the shepherd calls his sheep together and protects them so that the enemy may not touch or harm them. When they need more food, the Shepherd gently leads them to a new pasture where they may feast and grow fat.
Friends, in our text today, Jesus tells us a story about sheep. A flock of sheep is safely corralled in a pen. They are there awaiting the arrival of their Shepherd. While they await there, thieves and robbers jump the fence to come in and try to kill and steal the sheep from their rightful owners. We know they are thieves and robbers because they try to get the sheep out of the pen by means other than the gate. They try to throw the sheep over the fence. They try to dig a hole under the fence and pull the sheep out. But the sheep “will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice.”
But when the Shepherd arrives, the sheep hear their name. They hear the voice of their true Shepherd calling to them, and they flock together around Him. And the only way they can leave the sheep pen is through the gate. Having been brought out safely, the Shepherd “Leads them beside still waters” and “makes them lie down in green pastures, restoring their souls.”
Friends, Jesus takes time to tell you this whole long sheep story not so that you will become better educated about sheep, but rather so that you will know more about yourselves. You see this story isn’t about sheep at all. It’s about you, and even more so, it’s about your Good Shepherd, Jesus. You have been placed here in this world by God. God created this world and everything in it for you and for all humankind. That’s what we confess in the creed. He placed you here with his very hands. He gave you all that you have and all that you need.
But we also know that ever since God has placed you here that robbers and thieves have been trying to steal you from God’s possession. Satan, ever since that fateful day in the Garden of Eden when he said, “Did God really say?” has been trying to steal you away from God. He even uses the same words to try and steal you away today. Did God really say that Jesus is the only way to be saved? Can’t I believe in Mohammed or in New Age mysticism or other things and be just as saved? Did God really say that marriage between a man and woman was the only place for sex to take place? Did God really say I shouldn’t say anything bad about my neighbors and friends? Did God really say this, did God really say that?
In the end, so often we would believe that robber Satan much more than we believe our true shepherd. So often we would let that robber throw us out of the sheep pen, we would let him lead us away from our Shepherd. Friends our text is clear, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy”. Satan and his words “Did God really say?” are only there to try and kill you. To try and lead you into eternal death and damnation. Satan wants you to suffer as he will suffer, in the etnernal punishment of hell – the very absence of the gifts of God – forever. Having faith in the words of the robber who wants to murder you and serve you for dinner is not the shepherd’s plan.
But today, the shepherd calls you. Our text is clear, today your shepherd calls you by name. Each one of you was called by name – the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, as you were baptized into that name for your eternal life. Today your shepherd calls you and you hear his voice and come running. You hear the Good shepherd’s voice as He tells you His very word contained within the Holy Scriptures.
His word tells you not about what you can do to be saved, or what you must do to be holy, but it tells you that Jesus has come. It tells you that Jesus is your good shepherd and that his voice is louder and clearer than the voice of Satan. You hear the shepherd who would give up his life on your behalf. Who rather than to let you be killed or murdered that he will give up his own life on your behalf to guard you and protect you.
Our epistle lesson says, “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”
“The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.” Do you hear what this text says? Jesus leads you, he goes out ahead of you so that you may follow along. Jesus has gone ahead of you through death. He has gone ahead of you into eternal resurrection. He has gone ahead of you now to prepare a place for you. In his Father’s kingdom are many mansions. If it were not true would he have said so? Jesus has done this so that you might have life and have it to the full.
Jesus, your good shepherd. Jesus the one who leads you through the perils of this life. Jesus the one who gaurds and protects you in the midst of all the struggles of this world. He doesn’t promise there won’t be problems or struggles. But he promises you that he will be with you through it all, to face the robber and thief who would murder you. And that in the end, you will have eternal life, and have it to the full.
You are Jesus little lamb. He is your good shepherd. And when your short life is ended, by his angel hosts attended, he will fold you to his breast, and there within his arms you will rest. Amen.
