The Lutheran Hour
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"Dying for Sheep"
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Text: John 10:10-11
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Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Most of us are not shepherds; most of us do not know a shepherd. Even so, we know the life of the Shepherd is of greater value than the sheep. Today we stand in awe of Jesus, our Good Shepherd who laid down His life for the temporal and eternal salvation of His flock. Today we give thanks He has saved us by making a sacrifice we would never make ourselves. God grant such a thankful heart to us all. Amen.
If you go to Beacon Park in Staffordshire, England, you will see a statue of Edward Smith. Although you probably have heard the name Edward Smith before, it may not ring a bell until I tell you Smith was the Captain of the Titanic when it hit an iceberg and sank in the North Atlantic on August 14, 1912. In that tragic accident, 2,223 people, including Captain Smith, lost their lives. Survivors gave conflicting reports on how Smith spent his last moments. Some said he jumped into the sea at the last second, others had him rescue a child, while most agree he was standing in the ship’s wheelhouse as the Titanic went under. While we may never know the full truth of the matter, we do know Captain Smith, feeling responsible for the loss of ships and lives, went down with his vessel.
100 years later, another passenger ship, the Costa Concordia, like the ill-fated Titanic, had a hole ripped into her hull. Although the Costa Concordia’s injury came from hitting rocks and not an iceberg, the result was the same: the vessel was going to sink. Yes, the ship was going down, but this time the ship’s captain decided he wasn’t going to join her. When the Italian Coast Guard arrived at the scene, the Costa Concordia’s Captain, Francesco Schettino, was already in a lifeboat. While some of his passengers were trapped and dying, Schettino remained in the comparative safety of that lifeboat. When the Coast Guard Commander ordered Schettino and his first mate to get back on board their ship and help coordinate the rescue efforts, Schettino argued, made excuses, declined, and had to be threatened before he reluctantly reboarded his vessel.So there you have the similar stories of two ships who were destroyed by captains who made some foolish errors. Yet there is a difference in those stories. History has allowed Captain Smith to maintain a modicum of dignity while comedians refer to Schettino as “Captain Coward.” What has caused this distinction? One thing and one thing only: the level of dedication and devotion inside the hearts of those captains. While Smith cared for his vessel, his people, his integrity, his honor; Captain Schettino thought first and foremost about himself. As a result, Smith has a statue in a public park and Schettino may be given his own cell in an Italian jail.
Of course, you may subscribe to the school of thought which says, “The captain who crashes and runs away lives to sail another day.” And, up to a point, I would have to agree. Most people shouldn’t go down with their ships. A few weeks ago I saw a television crew interview the teenaged night manager of a 24-hour mini-mart. The young man was being interviewed because, when his store was being held up, he resisted the robber. That resistance consisted in confronting the gun-wielding bandit with a baseball bat. The store’s surveillance camera showed the entire incident. The young man came out swinging and for his effort was shot by the bandit.
After the grizzly and intense scene had been played for the show’s viewers, the newsman asked the recovering store clerk if he had learned anything or if he would do something differently in the future. The lad’s answer was short. He said, “Yes, next time a robber comes in, I’m going to give him the money.” The young man had made a pretty sensible decision: he wasn’t going to go down with the ship. That’s what I’d tell my children, anybody’s children, to do when facing an armed assailant. Give them the money. The money’s not worth dying for. The job’s not worth dying for. When you get down to it, there are not many things which are worth dying for.
Some of you listening today have been blessed with good jobs; some of you own your own businesses. But those good jobs, those businesses aren’t worth dying for. The fellows who jumped out of the skyscrapers because of the stock market crash in 1929 had it wrong. Yes, you work at a job. Yes, you give your best to a job. You may even keep on plugging away even when you’re not appreciated or the boss has it in for you, but you don’t die for the job. You don’t die because the market suffers reverses. That doesn’t make sense. To trade your life for an occupation is to have some messed-up priorities.
Now if you’re listening, you may be thinking, “Ah… but how about firemen, they die for their jobs, don’t they? Or policemen, or lifeguards? All of us have heard those sad reports on the evening news. And, as long as we’re thinking about it, “How about soldiers? Soldiers certainly die for their jobs.” Well, no, not really. I could respond, but General George Patton said it better than I ever could. Speaking from experience, he said, “Some hold that it’s a soldier’s job to die for his country. They’re wrong. A soldier’s job is to make the other poor, misunderstood gentleman die for his country.” That’s the revised standard version of Patton’s words.
Similarly, a fireman may die at a fire, but dying wasn’t part of his job description. On September 11, 2001, 343 firefighters and paramedics as well as 60 police officers from the NYPD and New York’s Port Authority were murdered when the World Trade Center Towers came down. Not one of those brave souls gave their lives trying to put out a fire or save a building. If those in authority had had any idea that those structures were going to collapse, they would have, without hesitation, ordered everybody out now. Yes, a firefighter or a police officer may die in the line of duty, but that was never the intent. A lifeguard may be killed in a rescue operation, but he doesn’t go out with the idea of giving up his life. People don’t die for a job.
At least not normally. All of which takes me to the Scripture lesson around which this message is built. If you’re curious and want to look it up, you will find it in the tenth chapter of the Gospel of John. You know, every once in a while, when I’m reading Scripture something grabs hold of me. That’s what happened with this passage. I probably have read the text 100 times before; I may have preached about it a dozen times, but this time something different, a new thought hit me. No, a better way of saying it would be, ‘a new thought overwhelmed me.” It’s not profound. Indeed, it’s so simple I wonder how I could have missed it before. When I read Jesus’ familiar words: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep,” I thought, “Say what? The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep!” That can’t be right. Nobody dies for a job.”
I mean, think about it, what human being is going to die for a bunch of sheep? That’s like the fisherman laying down his life to save his worms, leeches, and minnows. If the bait bucket falls into the water, he doesn’t jump in after it, especially if he doesn’t know how to swim. If a fisherman loses his bait, he just goes out and buys some more or digs up some more. If the shepherd loses his sheep, even if they’re as close to him as pets, he can always get another flock. It may take him some time, it may cost a few shekels, but that kind of investment is certainly better than dying for the little woolies.
Is there anything which can make a lamb, no matter how cute it is, worth the life of a shepherd? The answer is: “Of course not!” Bowlers don’t die for their bowling balls; golfers don’t die for their drivers; painters don’t die for their brushes; insurance salesmen don’t die for their accounts; pastors don’t die for their pipe organs, and shepherds shouldn’t die for their sheep.
Yet, our text tells us Jesus, the Good Shepherd, does just that. The innocent Son of God died for the sheep. Consider that for a moment, won’t you please? Yes, I know, most of you aren’t shepherds. I’m, not either. But I do know a few things about sheep. I know that sheep aren’t dogs. If a dog’s master is killed, the dog may miss him, even do the canine version of mourning for him. But sheep, they don’t mourn the passing of their shepherd. They may know their shepherd’s voice. They may follow him, but to a sheep, shepherds are pretty much interchangeable. Give them a few days, and the beasties will forget their old shepherd and switch their loyalties to the new one. To a sheep, one shepherd is pretty much as good as another.The shepherd dies for the sheep. That’s not right. How much not right? Consider: sheep are not thankful. Sheep are not appreciative. Sheep are not going to give an award on boss’ day which says, “To the world’s greatest shepherd.” Sheep may not even realize they have a shepherd on duty caring for them. Shepherd’s shouldn’t die for the sheep.
But dying for the sheep is what Jesus was born into this world to do. Go with the shepherds of Bethlehem and look into His manger. You may see a cute and cuddly Child, but long ago Jesus’ job and His ending had been decreed. From His birth Jesus was the designated Good Shepherd who would die for the sheep. Now if Jesus’ contemporaries had heard me call them sheep, they would have gotten their wool in a twist. Still, I say it because the Bible said it first. The Bible said it because it recognized that God’s people had often acted like a herd of sheep… and worse. When Jesus walked the earth, most of the sheep He encountered didn’t thank Him. If He healed ten lepers, nine forgot to show any kind of appreciation. His Boyhood friends and neighbors didn’t give Him the keys to the city of Nazareth. They never gave their favorite Son a parade or set aside a day in His honor. Yet these are the sheep for whom Jesus came to die.
The pillars of the community never gave the Savior applause or accolades. The best they could do was call Him names and try to discredit Him. The religious leaders of His day didn’t set Him up with a classroom in the temple and encourage Him to share the wisdom of God. Instead they tried to twist His teachings and misinterpret His God-given message of salvation. If He called them to repentance, they replied with rebellion; if He told them to follow God’s laws, they substituted their laws. If He told them to trust Him, believe on Him, come to Him, rely on Him, they turned down His invitations with a snarl and a sneer. Yes, they were sheep… and worse than sheep.
I say “worse than sheep”, because, to the best of my knowledge sheep aren’t filled with hatred toward their shepherd. Sheep don’t plot how they can murder their shepherd. Sheep don’t lie about their shepherd so they can have him murdered. Sheep don’t laugh when their shepherd is dying, nor do they breathe a sigh of relief when he passes away. Sheep don’t put a guard on their shepherd’s tomb and they don’t put a seal on his grave. Sheep don’t do those things, but Jesus, the Good Shepherd experienced every one of those nasty reactions from the flocks He had come to rescue and redeem. Still those are the sheep the Good Shepherd came to die for.
Oh… we are also the sheep for whom Jesus came to die. That’s right us. And don’t get all offended when I compare sheep with humanity. If anyone should be upset with the assessment, it ought to be the sheep. After all, sheep don’t go to war against each other, they don’t kill each other. Sheep aren’t prejudiced against each other; they don’t gossip about each other and they don’t steal from each other. They may be envious of another’s pasture, but they don’t spend their waking hours plotting on how to steal it. Sheep don’t kidnap each other; sheep don’t sell drugs to lambs; sheep don’t have drive-by shootings and no sheep has ever attacked a classroom filled with kids. Yes, we are different from sheep, but the difference is not all that complimentary to the human race. Even so, 20 centuries ago Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, lived His life for, and gave His life so the sheep might be saved.
Sitting before The Lutheran Hour microphone, I would love to tell you the passing of the centuries have made a big difference in our sheeplike condition. I would love to tell you that we humans have evolved into a wonderful hybrid that is improved morally, ethically, and spiritually. I would love to say we have become wiser and left all of our sheep-like qualities behind. I would love to say it, but I can’t. We haven’t gotten better. Jesus said the sheep know His voice, but many of the world’s sheep still reject what His voice says. They still live their lives as if the Savior had never existed and they still try to convince themselves that they are in control of their daily and eternal destinies.
No, the sheep haven’t gotten better or wiser or more loyal. Just like their ancestors, many of today’s sheep still rebel. If the Shepherd gives them a command, they say, “Those words are for sheep long ago, they don’t apply to us.” If He tells them right from wrong, the world’s modern sheep say, “There is no such thing as right or wrong.” If the Savior says, “I am going to live and die for you,” many modern sheep say, “Jesus never lived, and if He did live, He didn’t die or rise to save me, because I don’t need to be saved.” And when it comes to following the good Shepherd, many contemporary sheep seem to take great pride in seeing how far they can wander from the Shepherd’s care and compassion. Still these are the sheep Jesus came to save. It doesn’t make sense but these are the sheep for whom Jesus laid down His life.
Please pay attention to those words. Listen carefully: the Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. The text doesn’t say ‘the Shepherd’s life is taken from Him by bandits or wild animals atheists, or unbelievers.’ The text doesn’t say ‘the Shepherd’s life is ripped from His grasp by doubters and pseudo-intellectuals.’ The text doesn’t say that ‘the Shepherd lays down His life reluctantly or with great regret as if it were something He was compelled to do.’ The text doesn’t say that “the Shepherd’s life was stolen from Him.”
It is clear: the Shepherd has laid down His life for the sheep. When Jesus was crucified on Golgotha, He was in control. He willingly gave up the ghost because He loves the sheep. He died in unjust circumstance and great pain because His Father was keeping His promise to send a Substitute, Someone who would offer Himself to save us. That was the role Jesus filled and fulfilled because He loves the sheep. He loves us more than He loved His own life. Jesus did what He did gladly and willingly, even though His sacrifice is not always appreciated by the world.
Seeing the Shepherd lay down His life, any reasonable, rationale observer must be impressed by a love so limitless, a compassion so encompassing, a sacrifice so self-denying. The Shepherd dies for the sheep. Seeing the completeness of the Savior’s commitment even sheep ought to get sensible and be impressed that God has done something we would never do. The Son of God, higher above us than we are above any sheep, willingly and without reservation died so that the flock may live; suffered so we might have salvation; was tortured so we might avoid tragedy. Rose from the dead so those who believe on Him might be freed from the fear of death, so those who are His might live forever. And for such a great cause, the Father decreed, the Good Shepherd will die for the sheep.
For God’s act of undeserved kindness, every church throughout the world should be filled to overflowing with grateful souls; great pipe organs should be drowned out by the billions of voices raised in praise to the Good Shepherd; every highway ought to be clogged by the feet, the bicycles, the automobiles of those who are going out to help others see their Shepherd-Savior. That’s the way it should be… but as I say, the world is filled with sheep and only a fortunate few will ever be able to recognize the Shepherd, hear His voice, and give thanks because they have a Shepherd who has laid down His life for them.
It is our prayer that you know this Shepherd, that you know the Savior crucified and risen for you.
My friends, if you don’t know Him, let us help you to meet the Good Shepherd who has died and risen for you? Let us help. All you need do is give us a call and we will direct you to His side. Please, call us at The Lutheran Hour.
Amen.
LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for April 28, 2013
Topic: Is It Wrong To Be Rich?ANNOUNCER: Is it wrong to be rich? Pastor Ken Klaus answers questions from listeners. I’m Mark Eischer.
KLAUS: Hi, Mark. Sounds like we’re discussing economics today?
ANNOUNCER: Only insofar as it relates to one’s faith. The question really has more to do with how wealth might affect one’s relationship with God.
KLAUS: Sounds interesting. Let’s get started, shall we?
ANNOUNCER: Jesus once said it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.
KLAUS: That’s right. And we believe Jesus was talking here about a real camel and a real needle. In other words, it ain’t gonna happen, short of camel puree!
ANNOUNCER: So, does this mean that it’s wrong to be rich? Do we need to give everything away in order to be saved?
KLAUS: First, does the Bible really give that illustration? Well, it does. Matthew, Mark, and Luke all report the expression and the events which led up to Jesus saying it. A rich man came to Jesus one day, asked how he could inherit eternal life. He claimed to have kept all of God’s commandments. Jesus said, “You lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.” At that, the man sadly turned away, because he had great wealth.
ANNOUNCER: Then the disciples looked at each other and they all got worried, and asked, “Lord, if that’s how it is, who then can be saved?”
KLAUS: Okay, so, first we need to ask, “In and of itself, is there anything wrong with money?”
ANNOUNCER: I know we sometimes refer to money as “filthy lucre” but as far as I can tell, the Bible does not condemn riches. In fact, many of God’s people mentioned in the Bible were rich. For example, the patriarch Abraham, it says he had many sheep and cattle, donkeys, servants, tents, and camels.
KLAUS: King David also did okay financially, as did his son, King Solomon.
ANNOUNCER: And then there were others who held high positions in the government, people like Joseph, the prophet Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
KLAUS: We could assume that they were probably pretty well-compensated.
ANNOUNCER: We also believe Lazarus and his sisters were well off. The Bible does not condemn them for their material wealth.
KLAUS: But it does condemn…
ANNOUNCER: When money becomes more important than the Lord.
KLAUS: Exactly. That’s what Jesus says in Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
That was the problem with the man who came to Jesus. As near as I can tell, it was a mistake most of the disciples hadn’t made. Peter said, ‘Lord, see, we have left everything to follow You.” And they really had.ANNOUNCER: All right. So… it’s not money that’s the problem, it’s when we let money become our central focus…
KLAUS: Right.
ANNOUNCER: Does it mean, then, that the way to save yourself is to give everything away to charity?
KLAUS: No. Nobody saves themselves. Those who are poor are no more able to save themselves than a rich person is. You can be poor and still be consumed with thoughts of money.
ANNOUNCER: Or you could be a rich philanthropist who thinks your generosity is somehow buying off God’s favor.
KLAUS: Yeah, the bottom line is that we are all sinners and we all need a Savior. When it comes to the love of money, sometimes the only difference between rich and poor is that the rich want to hang onto it and the poor want to get it.
ANNOUNCER: Okay, so we’re not going to get into heaven by being poor.
KLAUS: Exactly. Nor by being rich. Nor by being generous. We get into heaven only through faith in Jesus, our Savior.
ANNOUNCER: Still we have that question: why not give away everything we have?
KLAUS: You now, Mark, I like that question best of all. I like it because many Christians do just that. Look at the universities which were established by Christians, hospitals, medical research centers, various charities. When a disaster happens, the Church is often at the forefront of those contributing money and time to help out.
ANNOUNCER: And they do that for what reason?
KLAUS: It’s certainly not for the purpose of earning heaven. They should give because God has first blessed them with faith and forgiveness and then He has topped those gifts off by giving them the means, the method, the way, so that they might reflect Jesus’ love to others around them who are in need.
ANNOUNCER: Very good. Thank you, Pastor Klaus. 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 Lamb” by Gerald Patrick Coleman. © 1987 MorningStar Music Publishers
“Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us” From The Concordia Organist (© 2009 Concordia Publishing House)
“Mark How the Lamb of God’s Self-Offering” text by Carl P. Daw, tune attributed to Louis Bourgeois (public domain)