"What's a Shepherd Today"
May 1, 2005

The New Testament Lesson: John 10: 11 - 18
The Old Testament Lesson: Psalm 23

To convince People of God’s active Caring

I.  The role of the Shepherd is to actively protect and care
   A. We have the wrong image of a shepherd
        1. The picture of Jesus as the Good Shepherd in the Chapel
            a. It is a really lovely scene.
            b. quite idyllic, 3 friendly sheep, Jesus in beautiful robes
            c. The workmanship is stunning-but entirely wrong!
        2. We have used scenes like this to form our opinion of shepherds
        3. But if you give it some thought, you can realize the problems
        4. Shepherding is a livelihood, how much would you make on 3 sheep?
            a. flocks consisted of sheep in the hundreds.
            b. It was difficult work.
            c. Sheep need herding, because they generally a very disorderly lot.
        5. Brings up another problem, could you do such work in flowing robes
            a. Shepherds generally had to have their clothes tied tightly
            b. They needed to run, lift, carry, fight.
        6. The role of the Shepherd is to actively protect and care
            a. We might think David sat around all day playing his lyre
            b. But shepherds had little time to relax
   B. When we read the 23^rd Psalm, we have think of what shepherds did.
        1. David drew this from his own experience of being a shepherd.
        2. The regular duties of caring for the sheep are hard.
            a. must watch over the sheep to keep the stupid things together.
            b. You have to keep them near running water so they drink clean
            c. You have to keep them in the lush grass for nourishment.
            d. From time to time you have to go find a lost one.
        3. You had to be very careful at night time.
            a. night is when the predators come out.
            b. David recounts driving away a lion from the fold.
            c. The shepherd also has to be on guard for human sheep stealers.
        4. All the time, you were exposed to the elements!
   C. A shepherd’s real job in more like our image of the cowboy!
        1. We have a pretty heroic image of that job.
        2. Taking care of the herd.
        3. facing the danger of stampede.
        4. Fighting off rustlers and standing up for Justice.
        5. This heroic image is also apt for the work of shepherds

II.  When we say “The Lord is my shepherd,” we are thinking of all God does for us.
   A. David’s Psalm recounts the kind of things we can expect from God.
        1. God will provide us with food to nourish us.
            a. We recognize God as the source of this as we pray for daily bread.
            b. God care for our nourishment physically and spiritually.
            c. Today, we celebrate communion, our spiritual bread.
            d. This nourishment gives us the strength to go on.
        2. God will provide us with cleansing water to refresh us.
            a. Sheep need calm and clean water to drink.
            b. They can’t handle a fast flowing river…they get swept away.
            c. It’s not just enough to know were there’s water, the shepherd also gives a safe place to drink!
            d. God promises to refresh us when we are thirsty!
        3. Since Sheep aren’t mountain goats, they need easy roads!
            a. The shepherd finds safe places for the sheep to walk.
            b. In the same way, God leads us in paths that are safe for our souls.
            c. We often resemble stupid sheep by picking paths full of temptation
            d. But, if we trust to God’s leading, we will never find ourselves at the cliff’s edge!
        4. God also promises us protection from our enemies.
            a. Who is your greatest enemy?  Who is the one who utterly destroys?
            b. Evil stalks us in order to destroy us eternally!
            c. And in this, we are often our own worst enemies!
            d. In the time when our souls are in danger, It is God’s presence that protects us.
   B. Today, I encourage you to trust in The Lord, who is your shepherd.
        1. This is the one who will never let you down.
        2. God will not fall asleep on the job, but is always watchful.
        3. And no matter what problems you face in your life, God has all the power you need to strengthen you and protect you.

Recently, I was reading in some of the ancient documents of the church.  I ran across the account of Justin, the Martyr.  He eventually was put to death for the faith.  But before that, he wrote a very eloquent defense of the Christian faith to the Emperor of Rome, Hadrian.  In it, he refuted all the charges that were being made against the church.  But early in the document, he makes a very startling assertion.  Directly to the Emperor of the Roman Empire, he asserts, “You can kill us, but you cannot do us any real harm!” Would that Christians today had that kind of assurance and courage.  And we should!  For the one who supported Justin is also our good shepherd.  And just like him, we know that the faithful followers of Christ look forward to that day when we shall live in the house of the Lord, forever!

And as you go from this place, may you walk in the way of Christ Jesus and May God always find you faithful!