Good Shepherd Sunday
Flock of God,
I'm pretty sure I say it every year, but this Sunday is one of my favorite non-festival Sundays of the year. The Fourth Sunday of Easter is known as "Good Shepherd Sunday." It gets that name because the Scripture readings take a break from emphasizing the resurrection of Jesus and instead focus on this commonly used image of Jesus as our Good Shepherd and we as His sheep (e.g. John 10; Psalm 23).
I love this image more and more with each passing year because it so beautifully encapsulates God's grace. What does the Shepherd get out of his relationship with his sheep? What can they do for him or offer to him? Simply put, not a thing. I say I love this image as time passes because, as I get older, I realize how very little I have to offer my Good Shepherd. When I was younger, I had my whole life to live for God. I was healthy and full of energy for Jesus. I had countless opportunities ahead of me to do good things and was probably living a more moral life than many of my friends. I mean, I was preparing to be a pastor! It was easy to conclude that I must've had something valuable to offer as a sheep.
As I age, I recognize now that none of that was true. More times than not, I was the sheep who wandered off on his own, necessitating my Good Shepherd to come after me in dark and dangerous places. I caused Him heartache by my lack of desire to follow Him. I saddened Him by my refusal to listen to His voice and my thankless attitude toward His loving gifts.
Yet, here I am, a sheep in the flock of God. And I'm here only because my Good Shepherd found me again and again and again. I have nothing to offer Him. I'm not a better sheep than most. I'm as weak, lost, and stubborn as the rest. But because Jesus is so gracious and merciful, He will not let me stray for long. It is His selfless love for His sheep that is the power behind this awesome picture of Good Shepherd Sunday.
So, we'll sing Psalm 23 this Sunday and listen to Jesus' powerful words about His relentless love for us, His sheep. We'll be comforted and encouraged to know that the Good Shepherd wants us as part of His flock. Not because we have something to offer Him, but because He has everything to give us. And on Sunday, He will be dispensing those good gifts to every sheep who wanders into the little sheep pen we call Prince of Peace. I pray that regardless of where you've wandered this week, you'll manage to wander in on Sunday to be greeted by the smile, embrace, forgiveness and love of your Good Shepherd.
God bless your weekend!