"I am the Good Shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me – just as my father knows me and I know the Father – and I lay down my life for the sheep."

 

         This fall we will be focusing on evangelism in both adult Sunday school and worship. The center will be the week that Rick Richardson from Wheaton College will be with us.

         We begin by admitting that most of us have some qualms about evangelism that range from nervousness to absolute terror. We may feel we do not have adequate answers for the questions people may ask about our faith, or an adequate Biblical defense if we encounter hostility. We may feel that evangelism is a unique gift of the Spirit that only a very few possess. We may have been discouraged by a model of evangelism based on secular sales techniques, and we do not care to do that.

         Rick Richardson suggests a new image of evangelist for us, one of being a friend and a guide to people on a spiritual journey. Before we begin to talk in those terms, I thought it would be good to explore together some Biblical words that underlie the words "guide" and "friend." Today we take the most obvious and familiar word from both Old and New Testament, "shepherd."

         In the Bible, and in most of the ancient world, the shepherd was an image used for a ruler, a king. The emphasis was on the sovereignty of the shepherd. The shepherd lives close to the sheep and has their best interest at heart. Sadly, most kings of that time fell far short of the ideal. For Israel, God is the shepherd.

         When we think of God as shepherd, the scripture that immediately comes to mind is Psalm 23. We read it often at funerals, or at the bedside of one in the hospital. It is a Psalm of great comfort. Today we look at it asking if there might be a message in it that goes beyond comfort. Is there a relationship described here that is also empowering to us?

         There are two things we notice about the structure of this Psalm. The first is that the language shifts about halfway through from third person to second person. The Psalm begins "The Lord is my shepherd, he makes me lie down, he leads me, he restores my soul, he guides me."

Then it shifts. "You are with me, your rod and staff they comfort me, you prepare a table before me, you anoint my head with oil." So a distant observation of the shepherd, he does this and that, becomes very close, a personal relationship, "you are with me." The Psalmist is drawn from an objective description of God, to close, loving words of faith.

         The other thing we notice is that what begins in sheep imagery soon becomes the language of persons. Sheep lie down in green pastures and drink from quiet waters. But they do not have souls or walk in paths of righteousness. Those are human words, words of our relationship to God.

The comfort of the rod and staff makes us think of a king. The rod and staff protect the sheep from danger, and keep them from straying. But the sheep do not perceive that as "comfort." That again is a human word. The rod and staff speak of the protection of God the king in times of trouble, and also of the renewal of our hearts drawing us back when we rebel. Those experiences of God the King comfort us.

This comes out more clearly with the word "anoint." Shepherds may pour oil on the wounds of their sheep, but they do not anoint them. That is a kingship word. The king was anointed with oil when he took the throne. Then it becomes a word of healing, a word of blessing. To be anointed by God is to be chosen to do his will, or restored to health or to joy, but for a purpose. Anointing is about empowering people to share the King's will and work. So the 23^rd Psalm draws us into a close and loving relationship with God, and then prepares us for service to the King.

Jesus then takes this image of the shepherd and applies it to himself. He also expands it by calling himself "The Good Shepherd." He begins by telling a parable in John 10:1-6, in which he describes very accurately how sheep were cared for by shepherds. A number of people have observed Palestinian shepherds today, and find that what they do corresponds very closely to this passage. For instance, they do in fact have a special name to call each individual sheep, and each sheep will only respond to that name, spoken by that shepherd. If another person tries to call that sheep, even if they get the name right, the sheep will in fact run away. You do not want to get a job as a substitute shepherd.

So, at the end of the day, a number of shepherds will bring their sheep to a common enclosure for safety. There will be a watchman guarding a single opening, and no one is allowed in except a true shepherd. That person will call his sheep by name, and they are the only ones who will respond and follow him. It puts high-tech security systems to shame.

Jesus then explains this parable, which is about his identity. He says that he is both the gate and the good shepherd. First, he is saying that he is the shepherd who stands at the gate, ensuring the safety of all who come in through him.

Just as in the Psalm, Jesus is here moving us from distant observation to a close, trusting relationship with him. He begins with a description of the shepherd and the sheep and then he identifies himself as the shepherd, the one we come to in order to find our safety, our salvation. I have read that something over 90 per cent of people in America believe in God, and a surprisingly high percentage of people pray. But Jesus says, "I want you to truly know me, come to me, and put your faith in me." There is a personal relationship that leads to life.

But why is Jesus talking about shepherds and sheep? Would people be especially tuned to that image? John tells us in verse 22 that this speech is given just before the Feast of Dedication, which we know as Hanukkah. It is a minor festival, but one that recalls a miracle of lamps burning in the temple during a time of brief independence about 160 B.C. But the focus on Hanukkah is on dedication to God, and renewing a relationship with God after a period of cultural accommodation and compromise and especially corrupt leaders. The Hanukkah liturgy includes the reading of Ezekiel 34, which speaks against the shepherds of Israel who ruled harshly and brutally, scattering the flock and living for their own gain.

So at a time when the people are thinking about the consequences of having corrupt shepherds, Jesus says, "I am the Good Shepherd." What he means by that is that he is the shepherd who lives with a deep commitment to the sheep, even to the point of laying down his life for the sheep. This is not found in Psalm 23. In fact, a shepherd would not die for his sheep. If the shepherd was killed by robbers or by a wild animal, it meant death for the whole flock. Shepherds were courageous in danger, but they needed to preserve their own life.

Jesus goes beyond what a shepherd would do. He lays down his life for the people of his care. He gives up his life because of his commitment to the ones he loves. In his death and resurrection something happens to the people who know his voice and follow him by faith.

When we draw close to the one who died for our salvation, we will trust him. Other voices will not bother us so much, will not tempt us, will not frighten us. But when Jesus speaks, we will listen, and respond, because we trust him.

When we receive in faith the one who loves us and gave his life for our sakes, we too will be filled with love. When we move from distant descriptions of Jesus, head knowledge and lessons from years past, and begin to speak in a closer, warmer language, "you are with me," "your rod and staff comfort me," then something in our heart is renewed.

When we are called by name by the Savior, we find it easier to follow, and are more willing to be led. When Jesus the shepherd becomes our guide and friend, we walk with him, in the direction he is going.

In simple and clear language, Jesus is talking to us about prayer. The relationship of love and salvation is found in regular, consistent, open-hearted prayer. We move from distant observation of God to that close relationship of love, "you are with me," through prayer.

The Good Shepherd image is that of the gathered sheep listening for the shepherd's voice and following him. This is the Lord's people gathering together regularly for prayer. Whatever we do in this new season; whether evangelism, or children"s ministry or youth ministry, or Sharefest or missions – surely we must begin by gathering together in prayer, developing that love relationship with Jesus, our Guide and Friend.

Amen,