“Jesus The Good Shepherd: We All Need a Shepherd”
“Jesus, The Good Shepherd: We All Need a Shepherd”
Krista’s Reflection based on
Acts 2:42–47 The Believers Share Everything in Common, and
John 10:1–10 Jesus is the Good Shepherd and the gate.
4th Sunday after Easter, April 30, 2023
Introduction to the Scriptures
It was a good time for the apostles and new believers. They had just won many souls for Christ; and witnessed countless miracles. Thousands were joining the Jesus movement. Selling their possessions, sharing things in common, worshiping, and breaking bread together.
But just outside the community lurked many dangers. Jesus warned them not to trust the religious leaders. The Pharisees and Sadducees had just turned away the blind man because Jesus healed him and threatened their power.
Others are in danger for proclaiming Christ is the Messiah. Jesus tells his disciples to be careful.
Beware the false teachers: the Pharisees and Sadducees, the religious authorities of the time oppress the people and do it for political reasons. They love power. They mislead people and threaten to destroy
their adversaries. They do not represent God. They are “thieves and robbers,” Jesus warns.
But Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He will lay down his life for the sheep (and he did); he will protect them as long as he lives. Even to the ends of the earth, even beyond death.
My Story: Getting Lost
Since childhood, I had an innocent faith in Jesus. As I grew up and became a teenager, I thought I was too smart for God. I told you how I considered myself “agnostic” which really means “I don’t know” anything – so not so smart after all!
I would explore many ways to find God, and at times I felt quite lost.
By the time I settled in Scarborough as an adult, I was still seeking God, and looking for a church to call home. A funeral brought me to West Hill United.
I would stray from time to time, but generally I would come back to listen to Gretta, the minister, who was a very gifted speaker, and get to
know the community. I got to know most of the people and felt I belonged.
It was a bit odd. There was no Bible. No readings from Scripture. There were colourful rainbow ribbons hanging in front of the cross, almost hiding it. They used words like “Love” and “justice” and I thought, OK, they’re modernizing. I didn’t know what it meant. I had not yet fully embraced my Christianity – and I wanted to be open and accepting, I was still a curious seeker after all. So I stayed open to their ideas.
Gretta and I formed a congenial relationship, and I appreciated her as a role model; we would have lively talks about God, and we challenged each other. We didn’t always agree, but I appreciated her openness to hear me in private. She also offered me opportunities to lead workshops and explore my spiritual journey with others.
She didn’t claim to have all the answers. She would turn to the congregation and implore us to take care of each other, that God was the notion of love between us, not a higher power that would fix everything. There was some wisdom in that. She called us to welcome the stranger,
like refugees, which we did, and take care of the earth. Not so bad. Sounded like good moral teaching to me. But something was missing. Over time, the challenges to my integrity grew.
Once I was invited to speak while Gretta was away. I had been exploring the idea of miracles and wanted to speak on the subject. When I submitted my topic with its references to God, Jesus, and angels, I got a phone call from one of the lay leaders. I would not be able to use that language in that context. I could refer to God, but not in a way that suggested an interventionist God or the supernatural.
I was shocked. They wanted to keep the language “open and inclusive.” To what? To whom?? What about people of faith? What about Christians? After all, this was the United Church of Canada, wasn’t it?
Suddenly my courage was tested. I felt a lump in my throat, and my heart beat fast. I mustered the courage to question this rule as censorship but received no adequate answer. That was their policy. Many in the community had left long ago, disillusioned. I felt hurt too,
but something kept me hanging on – I loved the people and wanted to express my faith openly and make a difference.
So I got up and told my story, and I did refer to miracles. I used logic to show how I could not have done or experienced these amazing things alone. I did not make them happen. I implied a higher power, and that was enough for me at the time. People came forward and thanked me for telling my story, and one woman said, “we need what you have to say – some of us agree with you, you know.”
I held on to hope that maybe I could and should stay for those who were still seeking God, like me.
Eventually when Gretta came out officially as an atheist it became much harder. I couldn’t deny that something was very wrong. And it was affecting me negatively. I felt angry at times, confused, and uncertain.
I left for a while to pursue my own goals and had many amazing experiences. I came back occasionally to see the people and reconnect to the community, because that is what I needed. Over time I felt sad that I
couldn’t express my faith there. I did not really belong. I didn’t know where I belonged.
Sometimes I felt quite lost, wondering which way to turn. Sometimes I felt Jesus was right there beside me, pressing me to go on. I had more work to do. He said my time had not yet come.
Scripture – False Prophets:
In one passage Jesus says, beware of false prophets, false teachers. Here in John’s gospel, he calls them “thieves and bandits,” or robbers. It’s harsh language! I’m not here to judge anyone, but I must confess I agree with him.
He says this not only to protect us from physical danger, but also from spiritual danger.
Yes, some of the religious leaders of his time wanted to physically kill Jesus and his followers, and they did. But worse than this, some wanted to destroy their faith, to kill the movement which was spreading across Judea. They wanted to protect their own selfish interests, and their power, not the people.
Faith can be stronger than steel or as fragile as a baby bird. In Matthew 10: 28 it says, “do not fear those who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear those who can destroy both body and soul.” In some ways, to discourage someone’s faith is more harmful than destroying their body. Because with faith, the soul still flourishes, and stays connected to its source: which is God. Without faith, it is lost, wandering and in danger physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually – like a sheep without a shepherd.
Thankfully, God knows this and pursues us constantly. Jesus knows where his sheep are, and seeks us out, so we will return home. But will we listen when we hear his call?
Challenges to Our Faith – Technology & False Prophets We all stray at times. It is not easy in this world.
I think of how technology challenges this generation. The creators of technology want to sell more for profit. It is a great gift when used to enhance our lives, but it is also a terrible temptation. It lures us away from spending time with loved ones and family – or connecting to God.
It eats away at our time, our confidence, our finances, and our health and well-being – social media is the greatest false prophet of our time; it is proven to cause young people to negatively compare themselves to others (perfect people that do not exist), leading to increased cases of mental health issues, and even child and teen suicide. It is so tragic.
Without the Good Shepherd to guide us, we are left to our own devices, literally! (I held up my smart phone).
We pray for all families and children, and especially for the teens going through this right now.
We all need a shepherd.
There are many false prophets in our time – well-meaning or not. Some have reduced the gospel of Jesus to a nice story. A good set of moral teachings. But nothing sacred or spiritual to offer us today.
In the 60s, the powers that be decided to take religion out of our schools, including the Bible and the Lord’s prayer. This left a generation to bring up their children in a society bereft of spiritual truth without a moral compass. Soon recreation on Sunday replaced church too (we are
all guilty of this!). Instead of uplifting and protecting people’s faith, those in authority discouraged it and allowed societal norms and the latest fads to lure them away.
Our faith is fragile. It must be fed, nourished, and protected. We cannot do this alone.
We all need a shepherd.
The Good Shepherd shows us what is truly nourishing and leads us to living waters – where our souls are refreshed with truth. Like studying the Bible, spending time in solitude or prayer, going to church on Sunday, and participating in community efforts to help others.
Jesus protects the sheep. We would be wise to listen to his Voice. It is difficult, but we must turn away from those figures and forces that would misguide us. We must stand up for our faith when it is not popular. Even dangerous.
Truth has never been popular. And faith is fragile. It needs protection to flourish.
Like the first Christians of our story in Acts, they had to protect their faith in a tight community so it would flourish, allowing in new believers, but keeping out false prophets, so it would survive for millennia. And it did.
We all need a shepherd.
The Good Shepherd protects us and shows us the right way to go.
Finding My Way Home – Following Jesus
In 2018 I felt the call to go into the ministry. I was still at West Hill United, but I now knew I had to move on. It was very hard to let go. I found another church home at St. Mark’s United and did my contextual education there. The minister understood my journey, encouraged my faith, and witnessed my calling. I eventually graduated, and another helpful guide Rev. Linda Butler pointed me to Churchill and Gilford United. I am so glad she did.
But this story would not be the same without my experiences at West Hill. All those challenges forced me to dig deeper and explore the truth. I now realize those tests spurred me on to become who I am today.
In ministry, I can openly talk about Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and encourage your faith, while watching how my own faith has flourished and grown. It truly is amazing.
I finally went back to visit West Hill for a funeral last year. I didn’t recognize the place. Both crosses had been taken down to make it a multi-use space. I still felt sad that I could not have stayed to make more of a difference there. But then a friend suggested West Hill played a big part in my faith journey. I believe it is never too late for someone to have their faith restored, and I still have hope for West Hill. Because my faith was challenged, I felt the call to go into ministry. I became a messenger for Christ, and a defender of the faith. How ironic! How wonderful. God works in mysterious ways.
I now realize the Good Shepherd was with me all along, comforting and guiding me, nourishing my soul.
Final Message
I hope that you feel encouraged by my story, and the scriptures today knowing that you are not alone. Jesus cares about you and your faith journey. Your faith is important and needs a home. When the world tries to confuse you, or you feel a little lost, remember:
Krista’s 3 Things
1) Jesus is the Good Shepherd. It is right to follow him.
2) Jesus will lead us to green pastures that nourish our souls.
3) Jesus will protect us, despite adversity, and guide us safely home.
Voice of the Shepherd
Let us take a moment to reflect on our faith
and listen to Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
Let us pray,
Loving God,
who sent Jesus as the Good Shepherd
to comfort and lead us,
be here among us
through the power of your Holy Spirit;
Protect and guide us when we are lost or feel alone.
We pray in Jesus’ Name.
And Jesus says,
I am the Good Shepherd,
I know the way to go.
Follow and hear my voice calling to you. I will never leave you alone.
Let me comfort and guide you,
I will nourish and protect you.
You are safe in my fold,
I will guide you home.
—
We give thanks to God
that we are not alone.
Jesus is our guide, the Good Shepherd. Thanks be to God,
Amen.