READ | SERMON NOTES
SUMMARY l World acclaimed shepherd and sheep shearer Walter Godfrey Bowen in his book “Why the Shepherd?”, a study of Psalm 23, described how sheep are completely dependent on the shepherd. Sheep are lost (no sense of direction), hungry and thirsty (cannot find food and water on their own), unclean (coat stained by natural habitat, wool entangled in grass and twigs), defenceless against predators, wounded (susceptible to injuries, crushed in spirit, give up without a fight), hermit (some separate from the main flock, lose their herd instinct and become loners).
In many ways people are just like sheep. Isaiah likens man to sheep as we get spiritually lost, hunger for meaning and look for it at the wrong places, are wounded, lonely and frustrated. Hence, we need a shepherd (Isa. 53:6). A good shepherd knows the characteristics and temperament of his sheep, tenderly cares for them accordingly and has the best interests of the sheep. We all like sheep need a good shepherd to tend to us, that we will not go astray and turn away from God.
Jesus identifies himself as the Good Shepherd (Jn 10:11) and draws on Old Testament imagery to compare the positive image of a good shepherd with a negative image of a hired hand. The Greek word for good shepherd is the ideal standard of shepherding rooted in God’s good character. Ezekiel 34:11-16 describes God, the Good Shepherd who seeks his scattered flock, rescue them and care for the weak and injured sheep.
Jesus is the fulfilment of God’s promises who carries out His redemption plan. He is the Lamb of God who takes away our sin and also the Good Shepherd. He is fully God and fully man.
Jesus uses the shepherd and sheep relationship to illustrate the relationship between God and true believers. The Lord highlights four aspects of this relationship:
1) The good shepherd is willing to die for sheep (vv.11,15)
Ultimate test of love is how far one would go in practising such love. As a young shepherd, David’s faith in God gave him courage to kill the lions and bears. He trusted God to protect him when he faced Goliath. Jesus as the Good Shepherd chose to die for our sins so that we can be reconciled with God and have eternal life. He did not die as a martyr.
How do we respond to God’s love and Jesus’s sacrificial death in our storms of life? Jesus said, “if anyone wants to follow me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me” (Mt 16:24). Pain and suffering will be there but Jesus the Good Shepherd will be there for us. The poem “God Counted Crosses” challenges us to think beyond ourselves and consider how God might use us as we walk in our pain and suffering. We continue to love even in times of trouble because God first loved us and died for us while we were still sinners.
2) The good shepherd never abandons his sheep (vv.12-13)
Unlike the hired hand, the sheep belong to the shepherd who cares for them even in danger. Jesus, the Good Shepherd did not run from the Cross and will never abandon us even in our darkest times.
3) The good shepherd knows his sheep (v.14)
In Old Testament times, sheep were reared for wool. The shepherd knows his sheep by their markings, characteristics or disposition, just like pets are known to us today. Sheep listen to the shepherd’s voice and will not respond to another voice. Jesus knows us personally and calls each by his name e.g., He knows his disciples by name, called Zacchaeus by name and at his empty tomb called out Mary by name. Jesus knows each of us inside out and the circumstances we are facing. Question is do you know Jesus personally or only know about Him?
4) The good shepherd gathers all into one flock (v.16)
Jesus’s primary ministry on earth is to the lost sheep of Israel but his redemption plan extends to all of us and unites both Jews and Gentiles. His disciples were tasked to carry the gospel to the Gentiles too. Jesus said, “ my sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me “ (Jn 10:27). Do you recognise His voice? Are you willing to follow His lead?
There are competing voices that may drown out Jesus’s voice – expectations of man, social comparisons, fear of missing out and falling behind, pressure to keep up, etc.
How do we tune our ears to His voice? Spiritual disciplines like reading and studying Scriptures, prayers, spending time with God in solitude or in small groups help us to hear Him better.
Jesus is not just a shepherd. He is the Good Shepherd. Question is not whether we are worthy for Jesus ( He has already died for us) and we do not measure God’s love by circumstances or pain and suffering we experience but by His suffering on the Cross which He endured for us.
May we come to Jesus to find life, rest and peace.
(Sermon notes by Woo Choi Yin)
God Counted Crosses
I counted dollars while God counted crosses,
I counted gains while He counted losses,
I counted my worth by the things gained in store,
But He sized me up by the scars that I bore.
I coveted honours and sought for degrees,
He wept as He counted the hours on my knees;
I never knew until one day by the grave
How vain are the things that we spend life to save,
I did not yet know until my loved one went above
That richest is he who is rich in God’s love
(The Brethren Evangelist)
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- Study Scripture
a. Read John 10:1-18. How do Jesus’ words about the Good Shepherd and His Sheep capture your attention? - Recall Sermon
a. What are the pertinent truths about the Good Shepherd? Which one/s resonated with you? How may you respond? - Relate Personally
a. Which area/s of your life are you going your own way? What could you do to return to the Good Shepherd’s leading?
b. How does the Good Shepherd’s sacrificial love and promise that He will never abandon you especially in bad times shape your understanding of His care?
c. What voices (fear, comparison, ambition, expectations, etc.) most compete with the Good Shepherd’s voice for your attention? How might you better recognise and follow His voice?
d. If the Good Shepherd knows you and your struggles and weaknesses, why are you unable to trust Him completely?
e. How are you responding to the Good Shepherd’s call to unity and inclusion in His flock? Where might you need to grow in how you treat or welcome others? - Commit to Action
a. Make time for the “Alabaster Hour” (12pm to 1pm) on Wednesday to practice recognising the Good Shepherd’s voice.
b. Share with someone about the Good Shepherd and how He has helped you to overcome troubles in your life.
