Easter 2 2024

So we are out of the Easter Octave and into the season of Easter. The editors of the BCP Lectionary are going to use this season, like they do all seasons, to cure our souls by having us focus on what receive as heirs of Christ the Resurrected one.

The Shawshank Redemption: Gets $35K

But we do not inherit $35K…we inherit eternal life. Dominion…

Being in the Flock of Christ means that we will know all the benefits of sonship to the Father.

Main Point: As beneficiaries of the resurrection, we are now Jesus’ flock, which has huge meaning to our Christian lives.

Lets go to the text:

[11] I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. [12] He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.

Ego Eimi: I am

Then the contrast…good shepherd vs the alternative. He lays down his life...Hired men do not do this, but a good shepherd does. And not only is Jesus a good shepherd willing to die fore the sheep. He is a sheep who is willing to die. Behold the lamb of God…

And by the way if you are worried about Jesus only being the shepherd and the sheep in this metaphor and somewhat powerless to wild animals like wolves…he is also the lion of Judah

[13] He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. [14] I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,

The hired hand is only there for the money…and it was not much in this day, unless you owned your own flock. Jesus is not a hired hand…he knows these sheep. He knows them by name.

When Jesus calls for those who are his they respond. The message of the Gospel is out there…but some scoff as others repent.

[15] just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Now here is where the resurrection benefits start to bubble up. I know the father and the father knows me. Jesus is the eternal son, in perfect relationship with the Father filled with infinite trust, adoration, love, and partnership. In that way, Jesus lays himself down for us to have the same benefit. The resurrected Jesus invites us to live in that same status. Free to us, but at great cost to him, at the cost of his life.

[16] And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. (ESV)

Finally, the benefit of the resurrection goes beyond the people of Israel and goes to all people everywhere. Jesus has chosen sheep, not just of God’s chosen people Israel, but of all nations.

They will not live separate lives. Jesus is not split he is one.

Main Point: As beneficiaries of the resurrection, we are now Jesus’ flock, which has huge meaning to our Christian lives.

Meanings for us. How do we live out the benefits of being Heirs.

Well first off we have to trust God in the deserts.

The sheep of Jesus time lived on the very edge of desolate wilderness, and they had to trust the shepherd to get them to grass and water. It was life lived on the edge. We two have to trust God.

This is why Giving is such an important act of worship…no baskets to pass.

We inherit all that the son has and that includes dominion: The father is always working and so am I. We are made to have dominion alongside God. What was lost to Adam is restored to us through Christ.

We have to learn to listen to the shephards voice.

There is a sense in which Jesus puts the knowledge of his voice into us. And when we hear it we know God’s peace. “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”

But in the power of the Holy Spirit, we join in this and cultivate hearts that desire God. We hear God’s word, we pray God’s word. The offices, the four readings during our services.

There is the alternative path offered by an unbelieving.

Do not trust others…its all up to you. There is no God to protect you and to shepherd you. Anxiety statistics and loss of faith in institutions.

Do not believe that our destiny is vocation, but vacation.

Don’t listen to the shepherd listen to your heart.

This leads to destruction. Psalm 1

[1] Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

[2] but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

[3] He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

[4] The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

[5] Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;

[6] for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. (ESV)

Main Point: As beneficiaries of the resurrection, we are now Jesus’ flock, which has huge meaning to our Christian lives.

In a minute we are going to do the consecratory rite for our communion. WHEREFORE, O Lord and heavenly Father, according to the institution of thy dearly beloved Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, we, thy humble servants, do celebrate and make here before thy Divine Majesty, with these thy holy gifts, which we now offer unto thee, the memorial thy Son hath commanded us to make; having in remembrance his blessed passion and precious death, his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension; rendering unto thee most hearty thanks for the innumerable benefits procured unto us by the same.

We will remember how the whole of Jesus' life leads us to this moment. Where by his life he is worthy, by his death he makes us worthy, and by his resurrection he gives us these gifts. This is what it means to be Easter people. Let us be his sheep, but victorious sheep. Children of a shepherd, the shepherd who has conquered all things.