"I AM!" Part 1

I AM! Part 1 – John 10:1-10 Bascomb UMC / May 3, 2020 / 9 AM Livestream/Virtual Communion Focus: The depth of meaning with Jesus as the Great “I AM” in John’s gospel. Function: …to understand SOME of the good news of a life embracing Jesus and both gate and shepherd of our lives. 5 Purpose Outcomes of the Church: Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Evangelism, Service Sermon Intro: Remember, I’ve said before that John’s gospel is sprinkled throughout each of our three Christian years. John is the last of the four gospels – written about ninety years after Jesus and with full knowledge that there were these other gospel narratives out there already. So why write another gospel? Well, while the other gospels tell a dramatic narrative of Jesus – (his sayings and doings) John is more focused on the mission and the identity of Jesus. Since John’s Gospel is focused on the mission and the identity of Jesus, John gives us seven miracles (that he calls “signs”) of the mission of Jesus and seven “I AM” sayings about the identity of Jesus. “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35). “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). “I am the door” (John 10:9). “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11). “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). “I am the true vine” (John 15:1). These are Old Testament metaphors for God and John re-presents them to us in Jesus as the Great “I AM.” John understands “right faith” as choosing Jesus. It’s a huge issue for John - identify with Jesus, follow Jesus, listen to Jesus and you will be a true disciple. The words of Jesus span out beyond that first century historical time to connect with us today. Our text cautions us about false leaders and hirelings. This text still speaks to US. SERMON: John 10:1-10 (CEB) 1 I assure you that whoever doesn’t enter into the sheep pen through the gate but climbs over the wall is a thief and an outlaw. 2 The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The guard at the gate opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 Whenever he has gathered all of his sheep, he goes before them and they follow him, because they know his voice. 5 They won’t follow a stranger but will run away because they don’t know the stranger’s voice.” 6 Those who heard Jesus use this analogy didn’t understand what he was saying. I am the gate 7 So Jesus spoke again, “I assure you that I am the gate of the sheep. 8 All who came before me were thieves and outlaws, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. 9 I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out and find pasture. 10 The thief enters only to steal, kill, and destroy. I came so that they could have life—indeed, so that they could live life to the fullest. Children’s Church One of my favorite TV shows in high school was Kung Fu starring David Carradine as Caine – a wise and gentle monk and the first “Kung Fu fighter.” Back in the 1970’s many of us wanted to possess his gentle wisdom, but even more so, his amazing skill fighting. I think the pretense of wisdom philosophy was a perfect counter to all the violence in each episode! For a teenage boy, it was the fighting.  (as the wise teacher) - It was sweet to subdue the opponent and enlighten them at the same time. “Grasshopper” can you take the pebble from my hand! And John’s gospel is a wisdom gospel. Thank goodness Jesus was NOT a Kung Fu fighter, but Jesus does teach us in riddles that are consistent with the wisdom methods of the time – like the blind seers of ancient Greek playwrights (and Kung Fu teachers). Be warned! We dismiss the blind wisdom teachers at our own expense because the gospel of John makes a big deal out of sight! Our challenge today is…can we see the vision Jesus has for US at this halfway point to Pentecost? Apparently, the blind can see Jesus clearly while the Pharisees remain blind to who Jesus is and what God is doing. So, when Jesus speaks to “them Pharisees,” in today’s text, the reader (you and I) are supposed to listen in. The Good Shepherd grants sight to those who want to see. That’s what has happened right before our text today. But please, don’t reduce Jesus to one of many Zen masters. The riddles of Jesus in John’s gospel go deeper than pondering “the pebble in my hand,” or “the sound of one hand clapping.” The challenge is not just to ponder the answer, but to live into its abundance. As John considers the great questions: is Jesus from God? Is he a prophet? Is he Messiah? John gives us the best answer in verse 10 when Jesus says: “I came so that they could have life—indeed, so that they could live life to the fullest.” John 10:10 (CEB). Avoid any literal definitions of gatekeeper or shepherd. Focus instead on the abundant life God’s realm. Life to the fullest is the vision Jesus desires for each of us. (as the wise teacher) So grasshopper, as the blossoms of the Easter lilies fade away, we should embrace the riddle of faith: by dying, the shepherd gives abundant life. It may hard to experience in a pandemic; but it IS possible to hear the single hand clapping. HOW, by understanding another riddle. Are we, first and foremost, spiritual beings having a (physical) human experience, or physical beings having a spiritual experience? John’s gospel embraces the mystery of the Spirit. “I AM” is a claim that Jesus provides the basics of abundant life: water, bread, light, and in today’s text, shelter and guidance. “I AM” takes the large view if you don’t get lost, stuck, bogged down in literal details. Faith and Science complement each other. Science may explain (as much as it can) the physical, but we Christians understand that humans are more than animal – we are made in God’s image – We are spiritual beings that enjoy the physical gifts of God. Oh, but Jesus tells Nicodemus to be “born again” to live God’s life and Nicodemus is bogged down wondering how to reenter a mother’s womb, or measuring the sheep pen, or calculating the costs of caring for the flock. His logical head will blind his spiritual heart! Consider the imagery of Psalm 23: good, green grass, cups running over, set tables and still waters – beautiful and comforting yes, (as the wise teacher)….but, Grasshopper, it is not the presence of the Shepherd and the Gate that makes the field safe and the table nourishing? For John, Jesus is “life” and the life-giver stands in contrast to the thief - a counter to pretenders who bring death. Freedom and Security live in balance. God gave Adam and Eve absolute freedom to choose security with God. But many times, we insist on freedom even if others have to die! Abundant life will choose limits on freedom that includes a purpose in mission and ministry, a vocation that serves the common good, participation in a healthy faith community, delighting in sustaining relationships, and a sense of security in Christ no matter what comes. Jesus offers relationship with his disciples that balances freedom with limits wrapped up in intimacy and trust. So, Jesus declares “I AM the Good (the True, the Legitimate) Shepherd” and the sheep hear & listen to my voice. He is the one whom the sheep choose to follow because of his tender knowledge of each of them, calling them by name. One of my favorite commentators, on a wildlife vacation, watched a mother puffin swoop in from the sea with a mouthful of fish for her baby. Below, on the cliffs are thousands of young birds screaming, pushing, falling over, and scrambling about. But somehow, the mother picks out the single voice of her own chick from the teeming, noisy crowd. It seemed like a miracle. But to this day, in the Middle East, a shepherd will go into a crowded sheepfold and call out his own sheep one by one, naming them. They will recognize his voice and come to him. What distinguishes the Good Shepherd’s call from the voice of strangers? Mary did not recognize Jesus until he called her by name – she knew his voice – and the shepherd knows us – when did God become more than a name to you? When did Jesus become more than a name to you? The Good Shepherd will ensure the safety of the flock because He is the only one willing to lay down his life that abundant life might be possible for his flock. The Good Shepherd – that’s clear enough, but “I AM the Gate?” (as the Wise Teacher) Snatch THAT pebble out of my hand, Grasshopper. John’s introduction of Jesus being with God before creation has Old Testament roots – again, back to the Wisdom literature – wisdom as Sophia (which John transforms into LOGOS (WORD). John’s emphasis on salvation highlights the repetition of this “Door” theme in today’s text. I AM the GATE – is maybe the least likely image. A Gate might bring to mind something that separates those on the inside from those on the outside. But remember, the Word (that was with God) becoming flesh means that God is not willing to remain at a distance from us. Jesus, as the gate, was opening for all of us. We are made in God’s image and now God is made “after our likeness” so that he becomes our gate, the way humans can enter and become members of God’s own people. “Open the gates of righteousness for me so I can come in and give thanks to the Lord! This is the Lord’s gate; those who are righteous enter through it” Psalm 118:19–20 (CEB) Jesus does not jump the fence! Jesus enters by the LAWFUL Gate – Jesus says YES to God every time! Jesus approaches in a proper manner and the gate defines a proper approach. He is both who the Messiah is and what the Messiah does. Jesus as the “Gate” or “Door” follows the wisdom theme of Sophia -- the means of access to knowledge, life, and salvation. The “Gate” is how the sheep go to “find pasture.” Jesus’ is bringing God’s saving love to the world. This passage closes with a warning and a promise. The sheep are cautioned not to fall prey to a suspicious leader whose desire is destruction. The sheep are directed toward a shepherd whose voice they already know, whose desire for them is abundant life, and whose vocation is to shelter and provide for them inside a “life giving community.” We get “congregation” from the verb “congregate,” a Latin form: com = “together” + gregare = “to gather the flock.” Jesus is the life giver who restores Lazarus to community. Community with Jesus means he is the vine and we are the branches. Only Jesus can form community from such diversity. The sheep live together—as one community. Thieves tell lies, use us, steal JOY from us, and leave us for dead, unless we listen for his voice and find in him (and him above all) a life overflowing – abundant life living in the house of the Lord forever! Amen? Amen. The Great Thanksgiving ONE: On the night before his death, Jesus took bread, gave thanks to You, broke the bread, gave it to the disciples, and said: ALL: “Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (Take the Bread) ONE: When the supper was over Jesus took the cup, gave thanks to You, gave it to the disciples, and said: ALL: "Drink from this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." (take the cup) ONE: And so, in remembrance of the shepherd who laid down his life for the sheep, we, the flock can offer praise and thanksgiving. May we become a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ's offering for us as we join with heaven and proclaim the mystery of faith: ALL: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again. ONE: Pour out Your Holy Spirit on us gathered here, and on these gifts of GRACE, that we may enter Your pasture by the TRUE GATE. Let this Table, set before us in the presence of our enemies, become IN US the body and blood of the Good Shepherd - The Great "I AM" ....all honor and glory are Yours, almighty God, now and forever. ALL: Amen. Praise Song: Holy Water God, I'm on my knees again God I'm begging please again I need You Oh I need You Walking down these desert roads Water for my thirsty soul I need You Oh I need You Your forgiveness Is like sweet, sweet honey on my lips Like the sound of a symphony to my ears Like holy water on my skin I Need You Oh I Need You Sending Forth: “Israel’s protector never sleeps or rests! The Lord is your protector” Psalm 121: 4-5 (CEB). Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!