And so we come to Good Shepherd Sunday.
Few earn their living these days in an agrarian society and very few farmers are shepherds in the sense that is invoked in today's lessons. Some may have watched Brokeback Mountain. We can remember that in his youth King David was found as his father's youngest tending sheep in the wild. Indeed when he faced Goliath he used his skill with a sling shot honed in defense of his flock as his only weapon. It is also instructive to remember that at Jesus' birth it is reported that the heavenly host overwhelmed with joy appeared to shepherds keeping watch in the field by night.
Less idyllic is the life these men led. In a world where few people bathed regularly these men lived rough sleeping outside in all weather as do the homeless today. They were in constant contact with their flocks and the dogs who helped mind them and as has been related many times in the past the shepherd slept in the entrance to the surround in which the sheep were kept secure at night. The sheep needed protection from native carnivores but sheep are not as dumb as the authors depict. Sheep have a scent gland between their toes that leaves a scent path wherever they wander so no sheep could get truly lost. They may not have a sense of direction but they can certainly follow their winding path home again. Truly they have a habit of wandering that patch of grass over there always seeming more inviting than the one in front of them. Since sheep crop grass up by the roots they must constantly be moved to new pasture lest they destroy the sod upon which they feed.
Once more we return to Acts for our first lesson. We need to back up to learn that the Apostles are on trial for healing a lame man and for declaring that that troublemaker Jesus whom the Sanhedrin had had the Romans put to death has somehow reappeared to cause them more head aches.
Act 4:10 then you should all know, and all the people of Israel should know, that this man stands here before you completely well through the power of the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth---whom you crucified and whom God raised from death.
Act 4:11 Jesus is the one of whom the scripture says, 'The stone that you the builders despised turned out to be the most important of all.'
Act 4:12 Salvation is to be found through him alone; in all the world there is no one else whom God has given who can save us."
Lives there a Christian of a certain age who cannot recite Psalm 23 from memory? After the Lord's Prayer the most popular memory work followed by the Ten Commandments. Just last week I was reminded that it forms part of the burial rite at every funeral service.
Psa 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psa 46:2 Therefore will not we fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
Psa 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me: thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
In our permissive society the chastening rod is not seen as comforting but in the Old Testament context the Law was seen as something to be cherished and those who transgressed it expected to be punished appropriately. The was cherished because it kept us in a right relationship with God and man.
In the end this is a Psalm of David who was chosen over all his brothers to be anointed with Holy Oil and crowned to shepherd his people Israel in what came to be seen as their nation's golden age.
First John is a sermon about the nature of God's love and our response to that love:
1Jn 3:18 My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action.
The Gospel today is rather hard on hired men. The word used in the King James Version is hireling meant in a derogatory sense.
Joh 10:17 "The Father loves me because I am willing to give up my life, in order that I may receive it back again.
Joh 10:14 "I am the shepherd who cares for the sheep. I know my sheep just as the Father knows me. And my sheep know me just as I know the Father. I give my life for these sheep.
Joh 10:16 I have other sheep too. They are not in this flock here. I must lead them also. They will listen to my voice. In the future there will be one flock and one shepherd.
This last verse is seen as meaning that the Good News is meant also for the Gentiles. Jesus and his followers remained throughout their lifetimes devout Jews. Jesus came to fulfill the law, not replace it.
Few earn their living these days in an agrarian society and very few farmers are shepherds in the sense that is invoked in today's lessons. Some may have watched Brokeback Mountain. We can remember that in his youth King David was found as his father's youngest tending sheep in the wild. Indeed when he faced Goliath he used his skill with a sling shot honed in defense of his flock as his only weapon. It is also instructive to remember that at Jesus' birth it is reported that the heavenly host overwhelmed with joy appeared to shepherds keeping watch in the field by night.
Less idyllic is the life these men led. In a world where few people bathed regularly these men lived rough sleeping outside in all weather as do the homeless today. They were in constant contact with their flocks and the dogs who helped mind them and as has been related many times in the past the shepherd slept in the entrance to the surround in which the sheep were kept secure at night. The sheep needed protection from native carnivores but sheep are not as dumb as the authors depict. Sheep have a scent gland between their toes that leaves a scent path wherever they wander so no sheep could get truly lost. They may not have a sense of direction but they can certainly follow their winding path home again. Truly they have a habit of wandering that patch of grass over there always seeming more inviting than the one in front of them. Since sheep crop grass up by the roots they must constantly be moved to new pasture lest they destroy the sod upon which they feed.
Once more we return to Acts for our first lesson. We need to back up to learn that the Apostles are on trial for healing a lame man and for declaring that that troublemaker Jesus whom the Sanhedrin had had the Romans put to death has somehow reappeared to cause them more head aches.
Act 4:10 then you should all know, and all the people of Israel should know, that this man stands here before you completely well through the power of the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth---whom you crucified and whom God raised from death.
Act 4:11 Jesus is the one of whom the scripture says, 'The stone that you the builders despised turned out to be the most important of all.'
Act 4:12 Salvation is to be found through him alone; in all the world there is no one else whom God has given who can save us."
Lives there a Christian of a certain age who cannot recite Psalm 23 from memory? After the Lord's Prayer the most popular memory work followed by the Ten Commandments. Just last week I was reminded that it forms part of the burial rite at every funeral service.
Psa 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psa 46:2 Therefore will not we fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
Psa 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me: thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
In our permissive society the chastening rod is not seen as comforting but in the Old Testament context the Law was seen as something to be cherished and those who transgressed it expected to be punished appropriately. The was cherished because it kept us in a right relationship with God and man.
In the end this is a Psalm of David who was chosen over all his brothers to be anointed with Holy Oil and crowned to shepherd his people Israel in what came to be seen as their nation's golden age.
First John is a sermon about the nature of God's love and our response to that love:
1Jn 3:18 My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action.
The Gospel today is rather hard on hired men. The word used in the King James Version is hireling meant in a derogatory sense.
Joh 10:17 "The Father loves me because I am willing to give up my life, in order that I may receive it back again.
Joh 10:14 "I am the shepherd who cares for the sheep. I know my sheep just as the Father knows me. And my sheep know me just as I know the Father. I give my life for these sheep.
Joh 10:16 I have other sheep too. They are not in this flock here. I must lead them also. They will listen to my voice. In the future there will be one flock and one shepherd.
This last verse is seen as meaning that the Good News is meant also for the Gentiles. Jesus and his followers remained throughout their lifetimes devout Jews. Jesus came to fulfill the law, not replace it.