5-8-22 Sermon Notes “Being a Sheep”

Over and over again throughout the Bible, the metaphor of Shepherd and sheep is used. Just to be clear…the Lord is our Shepherd, and we are His sheep. Are you thinking of the 23rd Psalm? Me too! Or maybe Psalm 100… “Know that the Lord is God. It is he that made us, and we are his: we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” Have you ever stopped to wonder why we are compared to sheep of all animals? Why not lions, or mules? I can think of a few reasons:

(1) Sheep are one of the few animals that do not really have a defense system. They are basically helpless without a shepherd. I think of what Jesus said when he saw the crowds in Matthew 9: 36. “He had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

(2) Sheep are sort of gullible, and prone to wander off and get themselves into trouble. I think of Isaiah 53: 6, where it says, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned – every one – to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

How wonderful it is that the Lord is our Shepherd! How thankful we are that Jesus is “the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10: 11), and the Good Shepherd who leaves to search for the one lost lamb (Luke 15: 2-17)! But are WE ready to embrace our identity as “sheep?” Our Gospel reading this Sunday is John 10: 22-30. As you read it, see if you can find the Five Qualities of Being a Sheep.

22 At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. 24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered, “I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me; 26 but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand. 30 The Father and I are one.”

See you Sunday!

Pastor Sam