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CHRIST, OUR GOOD SHEPHERD

SCRIPTURE READING
ACT 4:5-12
1 JOHN 3:16-24
JOHN 10:11-18

The theme for our reflection is “Christ, our good shepherd” A shepherd is a person who tends or rears sheep. It also means to direct and guide in a particular direction. We can therefore rephrase the theme as “Christ, is our provider and the director of our path.” The theme and the three Scripture readings bring to light, two facts worth considering in our reflection;

1. Christ the good shepherd demonstrated the meaning of love to us. (John 10:11-18)
2. Christ the good shepherd has empowered us to liberate the vulnerable and the oppressed through his love for us. (1 John 3:16-24, Act 4:5-12)

In our first main point, Christ the good shepherd has demonstrated his love for us in two very important ways. Firstly, unlike a careless hired shepherd or steward, Christ protects us from danger. “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. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.” (John 10:12-13). Indeed, we can always count on Jesus for our protection. David testified to God’s protection when he said “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.” (Psalms 23:4) Paul also gave a testimony of the Lord’s protection and faithfulness during his missionary journeys among the gentiles when he wrote that “But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” (2 Timothy 4:17-18). Beloved in the Lord, I entreat and encourage you today to put your trust in Christ when your enemies rise against you. We have no power of own to fight our adversaries but Christ, our good shepherd will surely protect us.

Secondly, Christ, our good Shepherd has demonstrated his love for us by not only protecting those who are within the walls salvation but indeed He cares about the lost sheep outside the sheepfold. No wonder Christ said that “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. 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.” (John 10:14-16). Christ is not only interested in those who are saved but he is also interested in those who are under the bondage of sin and are lost. Jesus’ love for the lost sheep or sinners is summarised in Romans 5:6-8, “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” No matter who you are and regardless of the magnitude of your sins, Jesus still loves you, repent and receive salvation and eternal life from Christ, our good shepherd.

Turning to our second major point or fact, Christ the good shepherd has empowered us to liberate the needy, vulnerable and the oppressed through his love for us. 1 John 3:16-18 unequivocally makes the point that “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers(and sisters). But if anyone has the world’s goods(riches) and sees his brother(or sister) in need, yet closes his heart against him(or her), how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. (1 John 3:16-18). Let us show the true colours of love by emulating the sacrificial love of Christ. You can only be a true child of God when you love and support the needy unconditionally regardless of their tribe, political affiliation, gender or religion. Look around you, there is a needy person close to you, may you be encouraged and empowered by Jesus’ example as a good shepherd to love the needy person in your family and society.

In addition, it is important to note that, as we liberate the vulnerable and poor in the society, we become ambassadors and stewards of Christ, the good shepherd. It is a blessing and privilege to be empowered to liberate others in the name of Christ, the good shepherd. When Peter and John were arrested and arraigned before the Jerusalem council for preaching Christ and healing the lame beggar, “Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone” (Acts 4:8-11) Surely, Jesus, the good shepherd, who was the rejected stone has become the cornerstone in whom we are fortified and empowered to heal and bring salvation to others.

In summary, beloved in the Lord, Christ the good shepherd demonstrated the meaning of agape (unconditional) love to us, His sheep, therefore we are now empowered to follow His perfect example in liberating the needy, vulnerable and oppressed through His love for us. May His grace continue to be with us. Amen