Fourth Sunday of Easter - The Good Shepherd

Following Christ's example of good shepherding can bring us closer to God and help us avoid the dangers of evil

There was a man named John who lived in a dangerous part of town. He often had to walk alone at night to get home from work, and he was constantly worried about being robbed or attacked. Despite his fears, John never let them control him, and he continued to trust in God to protect him.

One night, as John was walking home, he heard footsteps behind him. He turned around and saw two men approaching him. His heart raced as he realized that he might be in danger. However, instead of panicking, he began reciting Psalm 23 to himself.

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

As John recited the psalm, he felt a sense of peace wash over him. He knew that God was with him, and he trusted that He would protect him. The two men approached him and demanded that he hand over his wallet. But John calmly told them that he didn't have any money, and that he was only carrying his Bible. The men were taken aback, and they eventually backed away and left him alone.

John continued reciting Psalm 23 all the way home, and he felt grateful to God for protecting him from harm. From that day forward, he made it a habit to recite the psalm whenever he felt afraid or in danger. He knew that God was always with him, and that He would never abandon him. Years later, John looked back on that night as a turning point in his life. He realized that his faith in God had helped him to overcome his fears and avoid the dangers of evil. He continued to live in the same neighborhood, but he never let his fears control him again. Instead, he put his trust in God and lived his life with courage and confidence. I want to draw our attention to the concept of shepherding, which is a central theme in the Bible. Throughout scripture, we see God depicted as a shepherd who guides and cares for his flock, and Jesus as the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep. As believers, we are called to follow Christ's example of good shepherding, which can bring us closer to God and help us avoid the dangers of evil.

First, let us remember that God is our shepherd, and we are his sheep. In Psalm 23, David declares, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." This beautiful passage reminds us that God is our provider, protector, and guide. He leads us to green pastures and quiet waters, he restores our souls, and he comforts us in times of trouble. As sheep, we must recognize our need for the shepherd and submit ourselves to his care.

Second, we are to be united and encouraged in fellowship with other believers. In John 10:16, Jesus says, "I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd." As Christians, we are part of a larger community of believers, and we are called to love and support one another. We are to share our joys and sorrows, bear each other's burdens, and spur one another on in our faith.

Finally, we are to be submissive to God and to his authority. In John 10:27, Jesus says, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." As followers of Christ, we are to listen to his voice and obey his commands. We are to trust in his wisdom and sovereignty, even when we do not understand his ways. We are to surrender our will to his and allow him to lead us where he will.

In following Christ's example of good shepherding, we can experience the fullness of life that God intended for us. We can find rest and security in his care, and we can enjoy the fellowship of other believers. We can also avoid the dangers of evil, which seek to steal, kill, and destroy us. Let us, therefore, commit ourselves anew to following the Good Shepherd and to living as his faithful and obedient sheep.

Lena had always known that evil existed in the world, but she never thought that she would have to face it head-on. That all changed when she started a new job at a large corporation. At first, everything seemed great, but soon she realized that her new boss was not the kind and caring person that she had thought.

Lena's boss was manipulative and abusive, and he seemed to take pleasure in making his employees' lives miserable. Lena tried to stand up to him, but he always found a way to make her feel small and powerless. She was terrified to go to work every day, knowing that she would have to face her boss's wrath.

One day, Lena's grandmother came to visit her. Lena poured out her heart to her grandmother, telling her about the situation at work and how scared she was. Her grandmother listened patiently, then handed her a worn, leather-bound book.

"This is the Bible," her grandmother said. "It's helped me through many tough times in my life. Maybe it can help you too."

Lena opened the Bible to the Psalms and began to read. She came across Psalm 23, and the words spoke to her in a way that nothing else had before. "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

As Lena read those words, she felt a sense of peace wash over her. She realized that she was not alone in her struggles and that God was watching over her. She began to recite Psalm 23 to herself every morning before work, and it gave her the courage to face her boss and stand up for herself.

Over time, Lena's boss began to realize that he could not push her around anymore. He eventually left the company, and Lena was promoted to his position. She knew that she could not have done it without the strength and courage that Psalm 23 had given her.

From that day forward, Lena kept her Bible close at hand, and she recited Psalm 23 whenever she felt afraid or alone. It had become a source of comfort and inspiration for her, reminding her that she was never truly alone and that God was always watching over her. Lena had learned that even in the face of evil, she could find strength and hope through the power of faith.

Dear God, We come before you today with hearts full of gratitude for your unwavering love and care for us. You are our shepherd, and we are your sheep. We know that we can trust you to guide us through life's journey and protect us from the dangers of evil. We pray that you will help us follow Christ's example of good shepherding, so that we may draw closer to you and live a life that honors you. Teach us to love and care for others as Christ did, so that we may be a light in this world. May we be united and encouraged in fellowship with other believers, just as the early church was. May we conduct ourselves honorably among those who do not yet know you, so that they may see your love and goodness through us. Help us to be submissive to your authority and to follow your will for our lives. We know that Christ suffered for us, and that he bore our sins on the cross. May we never forget the sacrifice that he made for us, and may we always strive to live in a way that honors him. Thank you for being our shepherd, and for guiding us through life's ups and downs. May we always trust in you and follow your lead. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.