Good Shepherd sermon. May 11, 2025. Psalm 23/John 10:11-18
“Our Wealth”
Great, mercy, and peace to you, from God, the Creator, our Lord, and Savior, Jesus Christ, thru the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Before we look at Psalm 23 and the beautiful, “I am the Good Shepherd” text from John’s gospel, let me wish those who are moms, would-be moms, and those who, for one reason or another, cannot be, yet have the heart of a mom…a Blessed Mother’s Day to you.
Each of you are so treasured, not just by those who love you, but by the One who created you – made you…just the way you are. I cannot imagine a life without my mom, my wife who has been a phenomenal mom, our daughter who has taken after Wanetta…you get the idea. Yes, each of you are loved soooo much.
(Pause)
So, as I re-read Psalm 23 and the beautiful passage from the 10th Chapter of John’s gospel, I felt a peace that, in my mind, can only come from God. It was a peace of knowing that everything I need…everything I have comes down to this –
Yes, I am a wealthy man.
(Pause)
I mean, Psalm 23 told me that I can’t be anything else but wealthy. Here’s the thing. When you feel that you have nothing, or worse yet, feel that you are nothing – a non-entity – then one day, one magnificent day, you’re told that you are something – that you are someone – life suddenly changes.
Let me introduce you to Helen (not her real name). She was a drug addicted, alcoholic prostitute who would sell herself for a pack of cigarettes and bottle of cheap booze. One Sunday morning following breakfast at First Lutheran Church, she received the Bread of Life firmly pressed in the palm of her extended hand and held it. Just held it. I’m not saying she was cherishing the body of Christ; perhaps she was wondering of her worthiness to place it in her mouth. I did the same thing years ago. Nope – not worthy.
As she dipped the bread into the juice in the chalice – the Cup of Salvation – her free hand covered her mouth as she visibly shook while crying. Nope – not worthy of you, Good Shepherd, Jesus.
In John’s gospel, we read those beautiful, yet curious words when he said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” And, just a few verses later, our Lord reiterates, “And I lay my life down for the sheep.” But then he said something that “the Helen’s” of the world need to hear. You know, those who don’t know now, or possibly have never felt worthy of his love, finally hear – no feel – these all-inclusive words: “I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also.”
I’m not saying that Helen was immediately healed of her lifestyle and addictions, but I know she felt the love of God in Christ Jesus. She told me. Her inward feeling of worthlessness was supplanted by Christ’s worthiness. I haven’t seen Helen for years, but I think of her periodically, hoping that she knows how wealthy she really is.
Something else I believe constitutes wealth, and I know I’ve said this on countless occasions – we have a Lord – a shepherd – who keeps his word. Regardless if we keep ours or not.
“Though I walk (Pause…) what? Yes! Though I walk through the Valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil,” and there’s only one reason for that – “YOU are with me, O, Lord!” There is no way I – you – we – can do this thing called life
on our own.
That’s why we don’t need or want anything – the Good Shepherd is with us. Right here. Did you notice him there yesterday? Well, praise God, the Shepherd is here again today. And, do I have to tell you where he’ll be tomorrow? Yep! That’s the promise God makes to us.
That is called the gospel! The Good News! You see, many of us have allowed the “hired hand;” one who merely keeps an eye on the sheep to collect wages, to do the leading in life, not the shepherd. Helen did. I know I certainly did. When the proverbial “going gets tough,” the hired hand is apt to say, “Geez – this is not what I signed up for,” and leaves. Leaves us alone.
The shepherd, on the other hand, knows what the responsibility is and adheres to it. He is so constantly present that it’s like we forget he’s there to turn to in our times of need. Maybe we look to the hired hands because we don’t like having to admit that we are sheep who belong to someone besides ourselves. We can fool ourselves into thinking that the hired hands are more like us, and in turn, we might become like them—successful, with power over others, and able to hold everyone at arm’s length.
The intimacy with which the Good Shepherd knows us can be rather unnerving for people used to hiding parts of themselves from others. And the fact that we have to submit to being God’s sheep before we can actually know God is its own whole thing for the stubborn streaks in us to work out.
And yet – and yet – Jesus says over and over that he is the Good Shepherd. Each time he describes another layer of his commitment. You know – – – –
- Like being there in the times of trouble when others leave us high and dry.
- Knowing us and being known by us.
- And then there’s the big one: The steadfastness of the Good Shepherd telling us that he lays down his life for his sheep. Jesus talks about his willingness to die for us three times in these short verses.
Jesus emphasizes that he was not coerced or forced in this decision by anyone—God the Father or human powers—but that it is a reason why the Father loves him so much. The Father expresses this love because the Son is using his power for the good of his beloved. Because in a world of false gods, all too willing to be hired hands for their own benefit, Jesus commits himself to each of us and every Helen of the world. Jesus the Good Shepherd not only lays down his life for his sheep, but for them…he also takes it up again.
It’s called Resurrection!
Jesus’s resurrection is just as much for our good as his death is; in fact, it is essential for our salvation and for the powerful, grace-filled Messiah to show his victory. That, dear friends is why I am wealthy – that is why we are wealthy indeed.
Thanks be to Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
AMEN.