Shepherd and Lamb
- Rev. Annie McMillan
- May 11
- 4 min read
Today is often called Shepherding Sunday, when we celebrate that Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd and consider what it means that we are the sheep of his flock. In the first few verses of John chapter 10, “Jesus describes himself as the good shepherd, the One sent to lay down his life for the sheep to protect them from the robbers and bandits and grant them abundant life.” In the beginning of the chapter, Jesus says “the sheep hear [the shepherd’s] voice. He calls his own sheep by name.” In Revelation we heard about the Lamb that was slain, and who is the Shepherd who guides to the springs of the water of life. And in John, Jesus says: “My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me.”
There’s an intimacy in the Shepherds' love and knowledge of the sheep, and we see Jesus calling by name throughout John’s gospel: calling Lazarus that the man might walk out of his tomb. Calling “Mary” when she is weeping at the tomb that first Easter morning because Jesus’ body has disappeared.
With such a Good Shepherd, who calls us by name, I wonder: Do we know Christ’s voice and follow? As Rev. Dr. David Lose noted one year on Working Preacher: “It’s really, really hard to be an armchair Christian. Only by getting out of our pews and actually living the Christian life do we come to deeper faith and commitment.” As we follow Christ, we hear Jesus’ voice more clearly. As we hear Christ’s voice more clearly, we follow more closely. What might Jesus’ voice sound like, and what is Christ calling you to?
Maybe you have a heart for the homeless in our community. I’m planning to go to a Homelessness Volunteer Corp Launch tomorrow evening at 6 just down the road at First United Methodist- if this is something you’re interested in, consider putting it on your calendar. Our building and grounds are a beautiful place where the community comes to walk during a lunch break, or be at peace in our labyrinth. Yesterday, a few gathered to mulch and care for the grounds that others enjoy, and every Wednesday morning two tend the garden. Maybe your call is people: Connect with someone you haven’t seen here in a while, or someone you don’t know. Come help with our next Community Meal, which will be at Friendship Park on June 22. Or let me know if there’s something you think we could be doing to follow Christ, and if you would be willing to be one of the people to lead that initiative. Let’s get more ideas, and think of more ways we can grow in Christ, connect with each other, and connect with our community and show Christ’s love here in Parkersburg.
Maybe you want to get involved, or want to connect, but it’s hard to right now. You’re busy, or don’t have the energy. Pray for us: for our church, for me, for the Session, and for the various committees. Or maybe things might seem scary right now. We keep getting more and more divided as a nation, encouraged to be scared of each other- of anyone who thinks differently than we do. There are wars and rumors of wars as we hear about India and Pakistan as well as continue to hear about Israel and Palestine, and Russia and Ukraine.
The people in Jesus’ time and the original audience of Revelation knew about difficult straights. In Revelation, John talks about the saints who have faced the great tribulation. Many had been killed because of their faithfulness to Christ. And yet, there is the great promise there: even in difficult times, when nothing makes sense, we can know that Christ, the Lamb, is the Shepherd- guiding to the springs of the water of life. And that in God’s kingdom, multitudes from every nation and language will praise and worship God. And there will be no more hunger or thirst, and no more mourning or weeping.
Today is mother’s day- the chance to celebrate or perhaps remember our mothers, mother figures in our lives, and those who have made us parents. Perhaps you will be celebrating with a mother, with children, or even with dear friends. Or perhaps today involves reflecting on a beautiful memory of a mother-figure who has passed. Reflecting on special moments spent with a child who has died.
Whatever this day brings up for you, remember Jesus’ words: “My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand.” Trust in the vision from Revelation. God is in control. Placing our feelings and trust into God’s love helps us to pour out love all around us, making that love available to everyone and thus following Christ’s call.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Amen.
*Resources for this sermon include:
“Year C - Fourth Sunday of Easter (April 21, 2013)” Worshiping with Children. https://worshipingwithchildren.blogspot.com/2013/03/year-c-fourth-sunday-of-easter-april-21.html
Rev. Eric Fistler and Rev. Robb McCoy, “Easter 4C” Pulpit Fiction Podcast. https://www.pulpitfiction.com/notes/easter4c
David Lose, “Following and Believing” Working Preacher https://www.workingpreacher.org/dear-working-preacher/following-and-believing
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