Shepherd who Lays down His Life

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, friends and family of Todd, grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.

I was never blessed to know Todd. But over this last week - as heard stories and memories about him, Todd was someone loved sports - especially soccer. He was even looking forward to volunteering this upcoming summer for the World Cup. He was someone who loved movies and in fact one of Todd’s catchphrases that family and close friends came to expect to be dropped in any conversation was the line from “Coming to America” - “What, is that velvet?” Todd, was someone who loved spending time with family. In fact he even became referee certified so that his son, Lincoln wouldn’t have to go through all the classes alone. Before Todd passed, I was able to share with him and the family words of Jesus from John 10. They were read earlier, but let’s some of them again, John 10:11-16

John 10:11–16 ESV

I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

John 10:27–29 ESV

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

Through out the book of John, Jesus uses many different images of Himself to describe the love He has for His own. We just heard Jesus talks about Himself being a Good Shepherd. And these words of Jesus don’t just end in the book of John but these of Jesus are true for us today and apply to our lives today!

First in order to be a good shepherd - you have to know your sheep. The Shepherd has to know who belong to Him because He calls them by name. For us, in the gift of Baptism we are called and made a part of flock of Jesus. In Baptism we are invited and claimed by God as His own children. Todd was baptized. In those waters, God made His promise to him—claiming him as His own and bringing him into His flock. Today, Jesus is calling you. Calling you to be part of His flock. Calling you to trust Him and His promises.

In hearing from the family, Todd was a person who would do anything for his family. Anything to be there for his kids, Ava & Lincoln, his wife Robin. If his parents, Jerry and Sandy, needed him, he would do anything he could to be there, to serve, to do what was needed. He even sounds like a person who would go above and beyond what was asked of him. Jesus today in John 10, in a even greater way talks about His service for you. Jesus says He not only knows all His sheep and calls them by name, but Jesus says He lays down His life for His sheep. Jesus Christ for you came to this world to give it all for you. He carried the cross, He carried your sins, and He died so that you may be forgiven. Out of His great love for you, Jesus gives His life on the cross so that you can have a life with God that has no end; so just like Jesus tells one of the thieves on the cross - that you can be with Him in Paradise.

On this day filled with sadness and grief. As we feel the emptiness of missing Todd today. As we experience the loss of a husband, a dad, a brother, a son, a best friend, the grief and sadness we experience feel so strong that we don’t know where to turn. Maybe there will be moments over the next couple of months where we feel like we have no direction. Death today feels like it has the final authority. But as believers in Jesus, we know death doesn’t have the final say. And Jesus as He talks about being the Good Shepherd He tells us that today, He says, “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” And in Romans 8 which we heard from earlier, says that nothing can separate you from the love of Christ! We know that because of the joy of Easter, sadness, grief, and not even death can separate you from God’s love. Because on the first Easter morning, which we will celebrate in a few days, we see the tomb doesn’t stay sealed, but the grave is empty! Because Jesus is Risen! Jesus went through death and hell to have you. Jesus went through death - to claim His sheep. Not even death can remove you from the care of Good Shepherd, Jesus.

This Good Shepherd is calling out to you today. Because He knows you! He has laid down His life for you. And Jesus doesn’t stay dead. He is Risen and those people found in the care of the Good Shepherd have eternal life. Rest in the comfort of the voice of Good Shepherd, Jesus, today!

Now friends and family of Todd, may the peace of Jesus that surpasses all understanding, may it guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.