04242021 – John 10. 11-18
You do understand that we are living in unprecedented times…right?
(Pause)
Reaching the end of a job interview – the interviewer asked the young applicant, fresh out of college, with a new Bachelor’s Degree in his hand,
“And what kind of a starting salary were you looking for?”
The applicant said, “OH, somewhere in the NEIGHBORHOOD of $125,000 a year, depending on the benefits package, of course.”
The interviewer said,
“Well, what would you say to a six-week vacation every year, plus14 paid holidays, full medical, dental, eyes and ear coverage, with the COMPANY matching your retirement fund to 50% of your ANNUAL salary, and a COMPANY car LEASED every two years, say, a BMW or a Mercedes Benz?”
The young applicant sat up STRAIGHT and said, “Wow! Are you kidding me?” That would be GREAT!
The interviewer replied, “Yeah, I am TOTALLY KIDDING YOU, but YOU STARTED IT with that ridiculous salary REQUEST.” Now, let’s start over again.
(PAUSE)
At the time of Jesus, being a Shepherd was NOT a good CAREER CHOICE:
it was a job done often by the YOUNGEST MEMBER in the family; so that the OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS would be free to do something MORE important and of greater value!
In SOCIETY, shepherds were the butt of a lot of jokes; similar to the way we say; “There was a priest, a rabbi and a pastor… that walked into a bar…” OW!
Sheep were seen as being STUPID animals, that could not even find their way home if, they wanted to; and so, THOSE WHO LOOKED AFTER THEM – were often seen as being STUPID, as well!
Stupid…stupid…stupid shepherds.
At the time of Jesus; the shepherd with his sheep would have been a very familiar sight. The reason FOR IT WAS the “topographical scenery” or the layout of the land…of Israel.
The land HAS “what is called” an open backbone, the central plateau of Judea stretches: about 35 miles long and at its widest point is about 17 miles wide.
The central plateau of Judea IS NOT a land meant for agriculture, but was naturally suited for “the pastoral life” for the shepherd and for his sheep.
The sight of a shepherd with his sheep out grazing on the Judean hillside was a “common everyday sight to Jesus, and for all the people.”
That Jesus decided to lift up the plight of shepherds, is hardly surprising! He lifted up the poor, the lame, the blind, women and children, tax collectors and even prostitutes.
Jesus was constantly lifting people up…and giving them credibility among the people. He was giving them an HONOR, that society was unwilling to render OR to offer.
So, when Jesus spoke of “a GOOD SHEPHERD” it was like an “oxymoron.” An impossibility. Two words that should never be used together. It was humorous, “a good shepherd”…what-a-joke!
Shepherds were never considered to be GOOD…by anyone…ever…especially their employers.
According to society: They were thieves, ritually unclean, stinky, not to be trusted…and would NEVER BE REFERRED TO AS being GOOD, often times, they were thought to be “cowards.” BUT seldom, if ever were they capable of doing anything…good. Religiously, they were outsiders…
And Jesus sought to change all “that” and other similar perceptions.
Why, he actually goes – so far as to say, that a shepherd might EVEN lay down his life, for the good of the sheep.
Notice how many times he says that in this passage: verse 11, 15, 17, and in verse 18 he says it twice. Five times!
Jesus is emphasizing that HE lays down his life, it is HIS decision, no-one else’s: DO NOT MISS THIS Jesus was not a martyr or assassinated, Jesus was not even murdered (in the technical sense of the word.)
Jesus GAVE HIS LIFE as a ransom for all. Look at what the verse says, “He gave himself”, his death was voluntary. His death was vicarious (on behalf of others). Jesus actually died, gave his life, for the good of his sheep… and for their SALVATION.
This is our Easter theme. Week four of seven. You can count on the Good Shepherd making an appearance EVERY YEAR…and lifting up “others” as he does.
Throughout the HEBREW BIBLE sheep died for the people; They were sacrificed on the altar…Jesus included…
But Jesus returned to lead his people into all eternity. HE WAS the “resurrected shepherd of life!”
And Jesus still leads and guides us. He still shepherds us. And we have a shepherd that is WITH US and LOVES US to the end.
You can ALWAYS count on the “Good Shepherd!” Amen…