Fourth Sunday of Easter (2026)

What Difference Does It Make? “From Wandering Paths to the Shepherd’s Voice”

Text: John 10:1-10 Acts 2:42-47 and 1 Peter 2:19-25 - Supplementary Text

GOAL

That the hearers would trust the risen Jesus as their Good Shepherd, who alone gives them true direction, life, and salvation through His voice in Word and Sacrament.

MALADY

Because we follow competing voices—including our own sinful desires—we wander into false paths, seeking life and direction apart from Christ, and end up lost, threatened, and without true security.

MEANS

The risen Jesus reveals Himself as the only door and the Good Shepherd, who calls His sheep by name through His Word, leads them safely, protects them from harm, and gives them life to the full.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Introduction

If you had to choose your own direction in life… how confident would you be?

Not just in the next few months. Not just about a job, or a move, or a relationship. But long-term. Eternally.

We like to think we’re pretty capable. We plan, we research, we compare options. We chart a course that seems reasonable.

But the truth is— we’re not very good at directing our own lives.

We see what’s right in front of us. We react to pressure. We follow what feels right in the moment. We go with what everyone else seems to be doing.

And like sheep… we wander.

That’s not an insult. That’s reality. And it’s exactly the image Jesus uses.

Because without Him— without His voice, without His direction, without His care— we are on our own.

And that is a dangerous place to be.

But He lives. The crucified Jesus is risen. And that makes all the difference.

Because now— you are not on your own. You are not left to guess. You are not left to wander.

You have a Shepherd. A Good Shepherd. A Shepherd who knows you, calls you, leads you, guards you, and gives you life.

The Problem – Wandering Sheep

In John 10, Jesus describes two kinds of voices. The voice of the shepherd… and the voices of strangers.

And the sheep? They follow a voice. Always.

The question is: Which one?

And that’s where the problem begins. Because there are so many voices.

The world tells you what matters: “How successful are you?” “How much have you achieved?” “Do you have enough, do you look the part, do you measure up?”

Your heart tells you what you want: “If it feels right, it must be right.” “If it makes you happy, it can’t be wrong.”

Culture tells you what is right: “Truth is whatever you decide.” “Morality is a personal choice.” “Spirituality is a buffet—take what you like.”

And they all promise the same thing: “This way leads to life. This way will make you fulfilled. This way will keep you safe.”

But Jesus says something very different. He says many of those voices are not just mistaken— they are dangerous.

“They are thieves and robbers.”

They don’t lead to life. They take it.

In a world of clashing voices, many promise guidance but mislead.

They promise freedom, but bring slavery.

They promise security, but leave you more anxious.

They promise identity, but leave you constantly comparing yourself and never at rest.

And that would be bad enough— if the danger was only out there.

Self-Chosen Paths Fail

Here’s the deeper problem: Sometimes the loudest voice we follow… is our own.

“I’ll figure it out.” “I know what’s best for my life.” “I can handle it.” “I don’t need anyone telling me what to do.”

We wouldn’t say it out loud in those exact words, but we live that way often enough.

We choose relationships, priorities, habits, and even beliefs based on what seems right to us in the moment.

Jesus gives a striking image for this: Climbing over the wall. Finding another way in. Trying to bypass the door.

That’s what sin is. Trying to reach life… without going through Christ.

Trying to find peace apart from His forgiveness.

Trying to build identity apart from His Word.

Trying to secure a future apart from His promises.

And it doesn’t work.

You see it in your own life. Times when you followed your own instincts, ignored God’s Word, chased what you thought would make you happy— and ended up more empty, more guilty, more confused.

Because there is only one door— one way of access to real life and real safety.

Everything else? Leads to loss. To danger. To being lost entirely.

And that’s exactly what sin does: It takes us off the path of God’s will, away from the Shepherd’s voice, into places where we are vulnerable— to temptation, to lies, to despair.

On our own, we are wandering sheep.

But the risen Jesus refuses to leave us there.

Jesus the Shepherd and the Door

Into this confusion of voices, Jesus speaks one of His great “I am” statements:

“I am the gate.” “I am the door of the sheep.”

Not one of many. Not an option on a spiritual menu. The only way.

“I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.”

That changes everything.

Because now— your future is not uncertain. Your direction is not self-determined. Your life is not left to chance or to the shifting opinions of the culture or to the instability of your own heart.

You have a Shepherd who is also your Door— your way into the safety of God’s presence, your way into the security of His forgiveness, your way into the life that only He can give.

Let’s unpack that with four truths from the text.

1. The Shepherd Calls You by Name

Jesus says:

“The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”

This is personal. He knows you.

Not just as a number in a crowd, not as a statistic, not as “one more Christian.”

He knows your name. He knows your story. He knows your fears and your failures. He knows your past sins— the ones that still weigh on you. He knows your secret anxieties about the future.

And He calls you. By name.

He called you in Holy Baptism: “I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” That was not a generic religious ritual. That was the Shepherd putting His name on you, claiming you as His own.

He keeps calling you through His Word. Every time Scripture is read, every time the Gospel is preached, every time you hear, “For you,” “for the forgiveness of your sins,” the Shepherd is speaking to you.

That’s how faith works. Not by sight. Not by guesswork. But by hearing.

We know the Shepherd’s voice— it is heard in His Word.

Which is where Jesus meets you. That’s where He leads you.

He does not shout at you from a distance. He speaks to you in sermons, in the liturgy, in Scripture read at your kitchen table, in the quiet words of absolution: “I forgive you all your sins.”

That is the Shepherd calling you again and again.

2. The Shepherd Leads You Safely

Jesus says of the shepherd:

“He goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.”

That’s crucial. He doesn’t send you out alone. He doesn’t say, “Here’s a map—good luck.”

He goes ahead of you— before you.

Into each day. Into each unknown. Into each valley.

He leads. He guides. He protects.

And where does He lead? To pasture. To life. To what you actually need, even when it’s not what you would have chosen.

Sometimes He leads through green pastures— times of blessing, joy, clarity.

Sometimes He leads through dark valleys— suffering, loss, confusion.

Peter’s words in our Epistle reading speak to that. He writes to Christians who are suffering unjustly. And he reminds them:

“You have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

Even in suffering, even when nothing makes sense, you are not wandering randomly. You are being led. Kept under the watchful care of the Shepherd of your soul.

Jesus leads us to safety, belonging, and life— even when the path is hard.

3. The Shepherd Protects You from Danger

“There are thieves and robbers…”

And there is a roaring lion— Satan himself— seeking someone to devour.

You have a real enemy. Jesus does not deny that. He warns about it.

But the Good Shepherd stands between you and danger. He guards you. He defends you. He keeps you.

On the cross, He stood between you and the judgment your sins deserved. He took the blow. He laid down His life for the sheep.

Risen from the dead, He still stands between you and every accusation. When your conscience says, “You’re too guilty—God can’t forgive that,” the Shepherd shows His wounds and says, “Paid in full.”

When the world says, “You’re worthless unless you perform, or produce, or impress,” the Shepherd says, “You are mine. I laid down My life for you.”

You are not exposed. You are not alone. You are not unprotected.

You are kept in the nail-scarred hands of the risen Shepherd.

4. The Shepherd Gives You Life to the Full

And then comes the promise:

“I have come that they may have life… and have it abundantly.”

Not just existence. Not just survival. Not just getting by.

But Life.

Forgiven life— where your past does not own you.

Peace-filled life— where you are reconciled to God.

Purposeful life— where even your daily vocations are carried out as one of His sheep.

Eternal life— beginning now, and lasting forever.

This abundant life is not measured by income, health, or earthly success.

It is measured by this: You belong to Christ. Your sins are forgiven. Death is no longer the end. You are never outside the care of the Shepherd.

He feeds you with His Word. He nourishes you with His body and blood at the altar. He restores you when you fall. He carries you when you are weak.

This is life to the full— life in the flock of the crucified and risen Shepherd.

The Difference It Makes

So what difference does it make that Jesus lives and that He is your Good Shepherd?

It means: You don’t have to find your own way. You don’t have to trust your own instincts. You don’t have to follow every voice that shouts for your attention.

Because Jesus lives. And He is your Shepherd.

It means: You are known—by name. You are called—through His Word. You are led—by His Spirit. You are protected—from sin, death, and the devil. You are given life—abundant, eternal life.

Connection to the Other Readings

And you see it lived out in the early Church.

In Acts 2, what do the believers do?

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”

That is the flock gathering around the Shepherd’s voice. Around His Word, His Sacraments, and His gifts.

They cared for one another. They shared what they had. They rejoiced together. They worshiped together.

That’s not just an interesting piece of church history. That is what life under the Good Shepherd looks like.

And in 1 Peter, even in suffering, even when they are treated unjustly, they are reminded:

“You were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

Not abandoned. Not lost. But kept.

Kept in His grace. Kept in His care. Kept for eternal life.

Conclusion

If you had to choose your own direction… you would get lost. So would I.

We would follow the wrong voices, trust our own hearts too much, and end up on paths that cannot save.

But you don’t have to.

Because He lives. And He is your Good Shepherd.

So listen for His voice. In the Scriptures. In the preaching of the Gospel. In the words of absolution. In His body and blood given and shed for you.

Follow where He leads. Even when you don’t see the whole path. Even when it means laying down your own plans.

Enter through the door— through Christ alone.

And live.

Because— Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

And He lives to be your Good Shepherd.

Amen.

Prayers of the Church – Easter 4

“From Wandering Paths to the Shepherd’s Voice”

Risen Lord Jesus, our Good Shepherd, You call us by name, gather us into Your flock, and lead us to life. Confident in Your care, we bring our prayers before You.

A brief silence

For the Church

Good Shepherd, You alone are the door and the way of salvation. Guard Your Church from false teaching and every voice that would lead Your people astray. Strengthen pastors and teachers to faithfully proclaim Your Word, so that Your sheep may hear Your voice clearly and follow You in faith. Lord, in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.

For Faithful Hearing

Lord Jesus, in a world filled with competing voices, tune our ears to Your voice alone. Silence the lies of the world, the devil, and our sinful flesh. Keep us steadfast in Your Word, that we may not wander from Your truth, but remain in the safety of Your care. Lord, in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.

For the Nations and Those in Authority

Lord of all nations, You rule with wisdom and power. Guide those in authority to act with justice and integrity. Protect those who serve in harm’s way, and bring peace where there is conflict. Restrain evil and preserve life according to Your good will. Lord, in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.

For the Sick and Recovering

Compassionate Shepherd, You care tenderly for Your sheep in weakness and need. We commend to You:

Michelle, Karen, and Kim, as they recover from surgery—grant them healing, strength, and patience in recovery.

Remind them that they are never outside Your care, and that You are the Shepherd and Overseer of their souls. Lord, in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.

For the Wandering and Lost

Seeking Shepherd, You go after the lost and call them home. Bring back those who have wandered from Your flock. Use us as Your instruments to speak Your Word with gentleness and truth, that many may return to the safety of Your fold. Lord, in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.

For Life in the Flock

Lord Jesus, You gather us together around Your Word and Sacraments. Bless our life together as Your people, that we would be devoted to Your teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer. Make us generous, joyful, and steadfast as those who live under Your care. Lord, in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Conclusion

Into Your hands, O Good Shepherd, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.