The Lutheran Hour
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"Jesus Christ: God and Good"
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Text: John 10:22-30
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Grace, and mercy, and peace to you from the Lord Jesus, who speaks plainly to us, calling us to faith in Him for our eternal lives! Amen!
Kurt Cobain, former lead singer for the rock group Nirvana, once said, “I’d rather be hated for who I am rather than loved for who I am not.” Sadly, Kurt Cobain would not know much joy in that statement, but real heartache. Later, tragically taking his own life. There must have been a lot of despair overwhelming him. There must have been a lot of lostnesss and aloneness. I think this lostness and aloneness is part of the human condition. You know, the fact that we are all sinners to the core. But, it’s just something we don’t talk about very much, is it?
We kind of play like it doesn’t exist. We tend to suffer in silence. We like to puff out our chest and say, “lostness, aloneness? That’s other people’s problem, not mine.” Just recently, I read a story about one of my favorite singers, Frank Sinatra. It recounted how he really grew to dislike the one song that brought him a lot of fame. Do you remember the song? It’s the one people most often think about when they think of him…the song was “I Did It My Way.” People think that’s the spirit, that’s the way you deal with such struggles, you assert your ego, your dominance, your bravado. But Sinatra’s life was full of struggles too and he grew to dislike singing that song very much. In fact, the song “etched on his tombstone,” is not “I Did It My Way,” but … “The Best Is Yet To Come.”
Lostness and aloneness is part of this life. It has probably reared its ugly head in all of our lives at one time or another. That’s sad news. But today, there is good news for all of us to hear. Today we learn that there is a message to be boldly asserted in the face of lostness, aloneness, sin, and destruction. The good news is that we have an incredibly powerful God who incredibly loves His creation. The glad news is that even in the midst of a “Kurt Cobain” world, we have a Savior who wants to gather us as a loving, protecting hen gathers her chicks, as a tender-defender-shepherd who wants to protect us, and comfort us, and lead us to real green pastures. The great-glad news is that even in our most lost and alone moments we can find comfort and confidence in the provision of the Good Shepherd, Jesus, trusting that He is the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Jesus said, “27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; and no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
You know, I wonder if we could apply Cobain’s quote to Jesus. Was Jesus hated for who He was rather than loved for who He was not? Well the first part seems to be true based upon our text. But, this statement is not one of those, “if it’s one way, it can’t be the other way” type of statements. Sometimes, God blows our reason right out of the water. The Bible says that Jesus was indeed hated by His enemies for who He was, but He was also loved for who He was by those who believed in Him. You see, thieves and robbers hate a Good Shepherd watching their flock, but the sheep love Him and they trust Him completely. The text reminds us clearly who Jesus was, who He is – the Christ, the Good Shepherd, both God and good.
But the fact remains, Jesus, a perfect-caring-loving-truth telling Person, even He was hated by some. He was hated for who He was, for who He claimed to be. They hated Him for saying things like “I and the Father are one.” Verse 24 of our text says, “So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, ‘How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ tell us plainly.'” These particular Jews didn’t like Jesus. In fact they downright hated Him. They ‘gathered’ around Him. That basically means they circled Him like a pack of wolves. And Jesus said, “I told you and you do not believe.” They didn’t believe His words because they rejected Him as the Word made Flesh, God incarnate. Further evidence of their diabolical displeasure surfaces right after our text. In verse 33 these same Jewish leaders said, “It is not for a good work we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.”
Not only did Jesus claim to be one with the Father, claim to be God, but He backed up His words with works. His many miracles certainly affirmed His deity. And how about His resurrection? That is proof positive, laid down in human history for all to see, shouting to the world that this Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Jesus Christ is perfectly Good, able to take our place, powerfully God, to redeem the very world He created and ultimately this world’s only Savior, One that all of us really need. God, Good, Perfect Savior.
But maybe you don’t think that this is an important issue for you today. Maybe this question about Jesus is for some people, but you think…not for me. Our lesson today says otherwise. This issue goes right to the heart of what makes your life and mine worth living, now and forever. For, if we fail to recognize and acknowledge that Jesus is the Christ, that He is God in flesh…we’re disconnected from God Himself; disconnected from the real purpose of life, the eternal hope of life. Without Him, the very things that matter in human life begin to slip away.
Apart from Christ, those Kurt Cobain moments hit hard, we feel unloved because He is love itself. Apart from Christ we feel alone, for we were created to be in relationship with God and He is the way back to the Father. Apart from Christ we fear even life and death, because our lives are only secure now and forever in His hands!
Apart from Christ, the Bible paints the picture that we are like stray sheep wandering aimlessly and hopelessly and perilously toward a pit of real, unending despair. We need someone who can really change things, who can pull us out, pick us up, and put us back together. We need someone who has the eternal capacity to do it and the sacrificial love and willingness to make it happen. Jesus is the One, the Good One, the God in the Flesh One, our loving Shepherd and Savior, and we need Him!
Our lesson for today is one that testifies to Jesus so that you might come to know and believe in Him as your Shepherd, your Savior. Bearing witness was a very important notion in the Jewish culture. You established the truth by credible witnesses. And like Jesus Himself says, “The Truth will set you free.”
But as I talk to you today, you might be saying, “Who is the guy, telling me that I need to know and believe in Jesus? I don’t even know who this guy is. Why should I accept His testimony?” Well, I can understand your concern. Maybe, me being the Lutheran Hour Speaker is no big deal to you. And, I know you’ve heard me say that I need this Savior just like you. But Christ has called me to testify about Him to anyone who will listen, so I’ll do it and I’ll continue to do that…praying that you might come to know Him.
But God has many witnesses for you to hear. Even the creation itself testifies to God. So, let be as clear as I can be. The Bible proclaims that God the Father, sent His Son Jesus the Christ, into the world by the Power of the Holy Spirit, who brings us to faith in Him. God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, One God, come to save you! We see witnesses to the character of this God even in creation…Renowned scientist, Dr. Henry Morris notes that the entire universe is Trinitarian, 3 in 1, 1 in 3, by design. The universe consists of three things: matter, space, and time. Take away any one of these three and the universe would cease to exist. But each of those is itself a Trinity, A TRI – UNITY.
Matter = mass + energy + motion
Space = length + height + breadth
Time = past + present + future
Thus the whole universe witnesses to the character of the God who made it, One God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (cf. Psalm 19:1). But, maybe that is still not a sufficient witness to you so that you might believe.Well, then, listen to Jesus Himself. About Him being the Messiah, He says: “I told you, and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s Name bear witness about me.” Not only did Jesus’ own words bear witness to the truth, not only did His works bear witness to that truth, but there were people on record who witnessed to who He was and is. John the Baptizer bore witness to the truth that Jesus is the Son of God. The Scriptures bore witness to the truth that Jesus is the Son of God. Even the Father and the Holy Spirit, the two other persons of the Holy Trinity, bore witness to the truth that Jesus is the Son of God. That’s a whole lot of witnessing, testifying so that you can believe!
Jesus is who He says He is for you, for your life and salvation, so that you don’t have to live in the aimless direction of living life your way or struggling with the aloneness and lostness of life merely with a false bravado facing a fearful future. It’s not important to know every survey answer to who people think Jesus is. but it is vitally important to know who He says He is for you!
Remember the game show “Family Feud”? That popular game show encouraged contestants to guess at the most popular answers to certain questions. The recurrent and often somewhat irritating refrain was, “The survey says…” that can be used with reference to Jesus’ discussion with His disciples. In Matthew 16: 13-17 we read: “Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.”
Who is this Jesus? The survey says John the Baptist. The survey says Elijah. The survey says Jeremiah. The survey says one of the prophets. Today the survey might say, “Nice teacher, silly idealist, or simple mystic.” But they are all wrong. Peter gets it right. And the one and only answer surveyed from Christ Himself is that He, Jesus, Son of Mary, is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. And that’s not merely the right answer, that’s the answer that brings life and salvation to light! Jesus acknowledges Peter’s answer, He confirms again the testimony. He even goes on to explain why the truth of who He is is so important. Now that’s a testimony in which we can all place our confidence and our faith!
But our lesson today adds another layer to the testimony of Jesus as the Christ, the Savior of the world. He is also the Good Shepherd, the One who really cares for people; He really cares for you and me. He’s not like the action hero, here to save the day so that we can all marvel at His courage and strength. He’s the Savior who takes great delight in bringing you His abundant, eternal life, joy, and peace, no matter the cost to Him.
In fact, Jesus Himself explains His uniqueness when He calls Himself the Good Shepherd and also the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Now, listen; either you are a Shepherd or a Lamb, not both, right? But the fact that He is both is great comfort to us. He is One willing to be a “sheep” like us, vulnerable, in our place. He knows our feelings. He knows our fears. He knows our hopes and dreams too. He even willingly takes our sins upon Himself, as the Lamb for the sacrifice. He is the Sheep in our place, with a Shepherd’s power and wisdom to lead, one that can truly save us from our sins.
But, you can’t be a Shepherd and a Sheep at the same time, right. That’s what’s called mixing “metaphors.” But, the Bible says, I think you need to mix this one, because there’s salvation in this testimony for you. Jesus as both Shepherd and Lamb helps us understand just who this Jesus is, in action for us. Martin Luther explains it this way: “Christ is full of grace, life, and salvation (that’s who He is). The soul is full of sins, death, and damnation (that’s who we are). Now let faith come between them and sins, death, and damnation will be Christ’s, while grace, life, and salvation will be yours.” That’s God in action, mixing metaphors, exchanging sins for salvation, damnation for eternal life in the Good Shepherd who is the Lamb, the world’s Savior. That is what Jesus, as the Lamb of God, did for you and me. And now our risen Lord and savior, Jesus, is our Good Shepherd. Trust Him, listen to Him and believe in His work on the cross for you and me.
We are His sheep, confident and comforted: confident that Jesus is the Christ and comforted that Jesus is our Good Shepherd: confident that Jesus is God and comforted that Jesus is good. How good? Look at how our relationship with Him is described in the text we are given to Him by His Father. We belong to Jesus. We are known by Jesus. We follow Jesus. He gives us eternal life. We are now and always safe in the tender loving arms of our Good Shepherd. It’s a done deal. There is no better Shepherd than this Jesus, for you.
As Jesus’ sheep we follow then because He leads. Jesus Himself empowers us to follow Him. His love for us empowers our love for others. That’s what the sheep of the Good Shepherd do. He loves, they love. We love because He first loves us with an everlasting love. Do you remember the simple yet powerful lambly lyrics of the nursery rhyme: “Mary had a Little Lamb”? Toward the end we hear, “‘Why does the lamb love Mary so?’ the eager children cry: ‘Why Mary loves the lamb you know’ the teacher did reply.'” Loving lambs – that’s us, that’s who; Saving Shepherd – that’s Jesus for you!
Jesus is God. He created you, He gave you your very life, He also provides for you. Be confident that He is your Good Shepherd. He knows you, protects you, leads you. And He carries you all the way to your eternal home. Be comforted.
Jesus Christ: He is God and He is good. And we are His little lambs now and forever. The Hymn “I am Jesus Little Lamb” beautifully portrays our relationship with our Good Shepherd. Verses 1 and 3 go like this:
“I am Jesus’ little lamb, ever glad at heart I am;
For my Shepherd gently guides me, knows my need and well provides me,
loves me every day the same, even calls me by my name.Who so happy as I am, even now the Shepherd’s lamb?
And when my short life is ended, by his angel host attended,
He shall fold me to His breast, there within His arms I rest.”
Put your faith in Him, my friend, trust in God’s Good Shepherd for you!Amen.
LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for April 21, 2013
Topic: Why Should Christians Be Humble In Today’s World?ANNOUNCER: Is humility obsolete? Pastor Gregory Seltz responds to questions from listeners. I’m Mark Eischer. This is sort of a modern question; making it in the world today requires a certain amount of bravado and assertiveness. Humility may be a virtue, but do you think it’s one that’s out of date?
SELTZ: Wow, that’s a modern question, Mark. But, I’d like to go back in time to get the answer.
ANNOUNCER: And, how do you plan to do that?
SELTZ: Well, I’m going to go back to the life of Jesus as seen in the Scripture for our answer to the question, is humility an out of date way to live? And going back is okay. Why? Because Jesus was humility personified and He accomplished the salvation of the world with that attitude and mindset.
ANNOUNCER: Okay, I understand. If humility was essential to handling humanity’s greatest problem, then, it’s even more relevant for us today.
SELTZ: Exactly. Just look at Jesus… The way He does things seem to make everyone confused. He is God, He is almighty, all powerful, but then He acts like a servant, He humbles Himself, He even allows people to crucify Him on a cross.
ANNOUNCER: So, that way of humility was controversial and misunderstood even back then.
SELTZ: Absolutely, many people of Jesus’ day were certainly confused by this way of humility. I mean, on the most triumphal day of His life, Palm Sunday, it sure was an odd thing that the Almighty Son of God who has dominion over the whole world would arrive in town on a donkey, a beast of burden. Many thought He should ride in on a powerful stallion.
ANNOUNCER: Right, like a conqueror or a powerful leader.
SELTZ: As always, we human beings miss the point about what is truly powerful and enduring and what is temporal, appearing strong but ultimately weak. He was humble, even humbled, so that we might be saved.
ANNOUNCER: And, in Philippians 2 we read that Jesus was God, but was willing to humble Himself, to be born as a human being (even born in a manger) and later to be crucified on a cross.
SELTZ: And that’s not just the how of humility…Philippians says why. It says He didn’t want to “hold on to the power of His divinity, His equality with God” with the whole world dying in sin, so He emptied Himself, He humbled Himself so that we could be saved. Humility in action in Christ is the power of God’s grace and salvation in action for us.
ANNOUNCER: It seems that in the Bible things aren’t always as they first appear.
SELTZ: Right, God has a gracious habit of doing things His own way. We need to remember that what we try to assess what is powerful or what is weak. We need to let Him reveal that to us in His Word. What often appears weak and foolish to us, like Jesus on the cross, is actually just the opposite – God’s ultimate power and wisdom, for that crucified One powerfully rises from the dead.
ANNOUNCER: But, doesn’t Jesus’ humility call into question His divinity?
SELTZ: Not necessarily, but it does challenge us about how we think God should act. It challenges our misperceptions about Him, that’s for sure. What I do think it does is challenge all those naysayers who think that God is unjust if He comes again in power to judge the living and the dead.
ANNOUNCER: How do you mean?
SELTZ: Well, who better to more faithfully and fairly judge all of humanity than the all-powerful God who literally humbled Himself in humanity’s place? He suffered not only this world’s rejection, but also a Hell they deserved so He could give life to all as a gift. That One not only has the power to judge, to hold everyone accountable, He has the right to judge as well.
ANNOUNCER: But His greatest desire is that all be saved…not so much that He has the right to judge.
SELTZ: Good point, and that’s again why He was willing to humble Himself so that you and I might take a good look at this unique way the all-powerful God works in this world. So we might really see a salvation that only God could accomplish for all.
ANNOUNCER: And that’s the point of our humility as well.
SELTZ: Absolutely. Today, people seek to make it in this world to show who’s boss, to win prestige. Unfortunately, they’re winning in a world that is passing away. All this stuff is temporary. Christians strive for excellence. We do our best in this world but with a humble spirit, not a dominating one.
ANNOUNCER: Because the victory is already ours!
SELTZ: Yes, and because there’s a greater, eternal purpose to life. We want others to see Christ when they look at our lives. Humble faith in a powerful Savior is still a blessing. (Matthew 19:25-28)
ANNOUNCER: And that’s a real power that lasts forever. Very good. Thank you, Pastor Seltz. This has been a presentation of Lutheran Hour Ministries.
Music Selections for this program:
“A Mighty Fortress” arranged by Chris Bergmann. Used by permission.
“The King of Love My Shepherd Is” arr. Mack Wilberg. From Great Hymns of Faith, vol. 2 by the St. Olaf Choir (© 2004 St. Olaf Records) Oxford University Press
“The Lord’s My Shepherd” From The Concordia Organist (© 2009 Concordia Publishing House)
“Organ Partita on ‘Easter Hymn'” arr. William H. Bates. Concordia Publishing House