Know My Own: John 10:11-18

When I began my career in church work, one of the first things I had to do was attend the district convention. In fact, on the day of my installation, August 19, I had to leave right after lunch to travel from Decatur, Illinois to Quincy, Illinois, where the convention would begin that evening. What made that even worse was that it was my 1st wedding anniversary. As a young first-year teacher, I was in awe of the whole process of a district convention. Presiding over the convention was the district president. To me, he was an awe-inspiring person. He was of course much older and wiser and had an air of authority because he was, after all, the district president. During the course of the convention the new teachers and pastors got to go up on the stage and we were introduced and the president shook our hands. That was quite an experience. I don’t think though that during my first years as a teacher that the district president ever knew who I was.
It wasn’t until I started to make plans to become a pastor that I had to meet with the district president to get his official endorsement. That was a nervous moment. I was about eleven years older but it was still a bit awesome to go into the district president’s office and speak with him one-on-one. From that time on though when I would see the district president, he knew me. He called me by name. Every district president that I have served under since that time has known my name. I have had the opportunity to work closely with a couple of them. It’s a good feeling to know that someone with that kind of authority knows you by name.
It has often been said that the district president is the pastor’s pastor. Actually the title Pastor comes from the Latin word that means “shepherd.” That helps us see what Jesus meant when He said, “I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” What a good feeling that Jesus knows me. He knows me by name and even more than that, He knows all about me, the good and the bad, and He still loves me.”
This Sunday in the church year is known as Good Shepherd Sunday. The Psalm that was sung in hymn form, the Collect that will be prayed later, and the Scripture readings all reflect that theme that is found throughout the Bible. Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd. In our Gospel reading for today Jesus makes that statement twice. The first time He contrasts Himself with a hired man who does not own the sheep and doesn’t care for them the same way that the true shepherd does. After the second time that He calls Himself the Good Shepherd He explains the wonderful relationship that He has with His sheep. He knows His sheep. He knows their habits. He knows their tendencies to wander off. He knows their needs and He cares about them. He cares so much, as we hear, that He will day down His life for the sheep.

He also tells us that the sheep know Him. Here Jesus was using an illustration from everyday life at that time. In other parts of John 10, Jesus talked about the sheepfold and how He is the door to the sheepfold. The shepherd speaks and the sheep recognize his voice and follow only Him. The stranger’s voice will only scare them. They get to know and trust their shepherd’s voice.

Those who study infant behavior feel strongly that even before babies are born, they become familiar with the voices of the people who are closest to them. That would include, of course, the mother and father. It’s not surprising then that no one is able to calm a crying baby like its mother can. That familiar voice gives a sense of security and peace.

That is just what Jesus meant when He talked about the sheep knowing Him. We develop a trust in Him when we hear His voice in the Scriptures. We come to know that we are indeed sinners who need rescue from sin, death and the power of the devil that only He can provide. We trust the words and promises that He shared with us as our Good Shepherd. Recall the words in our text. “I lay down my life for the sheep.” Jesus was introducing them to the real purpose of His coming into the world. He would guide them and lead them and protect them like a shepherd. Most important of all though was that He came to lay down His life for the sheep. Jesus even gave them an example by way of a contrast to show them what it meant that He would lay down His life. He mentioned that He was not like a hired man who does not own the sheep. When danger would threaten the sheep, a hired man would run away and leave the sheep. The Good Shepherd would be willing to give His life for the good of His sheep.

Not only would He lay down His life for the sheep, He also has the authority to take it up again. I’m sure that this statement explains why Good Shepherd Sunday is always the fourth Sunday of Easter. This is an Easter statement. “I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again.” That is an authoritative prophecy the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus. This was only a few months before they would be going to Jerusalem for the Passover and, as Jesus knew, for all the events that would lead up to the crucifixion. Jesus had been telling His disciples about what would take place but they didn’t seem to really understand or didn’t want to accept what He was saying. Here He was though, as clear as could be. “I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again.” That’s just what He did. It’s Easter all over again.

There is more to this reading though than simply discovering passages that prophesy about the resurrection. Jesus also made some profound statements about the future of His church, His flock. In verse 16 He said, “I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. There will be one flock, one shepherd. The key words here are “not of this fold.” The original fold is made up of the Jews. Jesus came first to the Jews but they are not the only people who would benefit from having Jesus as their Good Shepherd. The message of salvation would be proclaimed to the Gentiles as well. They too would be able to hear His voice and follow Him. They would be part of the one flock with the one Shepherd. We are now a part of that fold because we have heard His voice. His voice has come to us through those who shared the Good News of the Gospel with us down through the ages. His voice was heard when we were baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, just as He commanded. His voice is heard as the people of God share their faith with their friends and neighbors so that they too can be part of this one flock. We are the voice of Jesus that draws people to hear more. That is an awesome responsibility but it is one that we can not avoid. It is a great privilege to be able to share the Good News of salvation with someone who has been wandering in the wilderness of doubt, fear, despair and hopelessness. It is a privilege to bring the Word of the Good Shepherd to those who are lost in a world of selfishness and self-indulgence. It is a great privilege to bring rescue to those who are prisoners of sin.

In the last weeks we have heard stories about Somali pirates and the ship’s captain who was being held hostage. We heard about the great joy that the captain and his crew felt when he was rescued. We also heard about the joy and feeling of accomplishment by those who rescued him. It can be the same for those who share the message of love, peace and hope through faith in Jesus Christ with those who are being held hostage to sin. He is our Good Shepherd. He knows me by name and I know His voice. I know the comfort and security, the peace and joy that is associated with that voice. He laid down His life for the sheep, for me, and he took it up again so that I could share in His victory over sin, death and the power of the devil. He made it possible for me to hear His voice so that I can find comfort in His promises. He is my shepherd. I have all I need. Goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and most importantly, I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Amen

And the peace which passes all understanding keep your hearts and mind in Christ Jesus, our Good Shepherd. Amen