The Second Sunday after Easter.
The Collect.
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LMIGHTY God, who hast given thine only Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin, and also an ensample of godly life; Give us grace that we may always most thankfully receive that his inestimable benefit, and also daily endeavour ourselves to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Second Sunday after Easter is referred to as the Good Shepherd Sunday for the obvious reason that both the Gospel Text (John 10:11 & The Epistle (1 Peter 2:25) is that of the Good Shepherd whom Jesus is for us. The Collect for today calls pastors to the high standard set in Christ as under-shepherds of the flock, and to the layperson as well, in striving to approach that plumbline of righteousness set up by our Lord and Savior. The Collect does not appear in traditional worship until the 1549 Book of Common Prayer for which it was composed.
Though this prayer is well-written and has deep meaning for the Church and its pastors, I would have preferred, for the sake of exactness and clarity, that one word would have been added between “only” and “Son.” You may think me too persnickety regarding this point of meaning, but, to be honest, Jesus was NOT the only Son of God. To omit referring to Jesus as the only BEGOTTEN Son is to obscure the great distinction of who Christ is in comparison with us. Since Scripture plainly grants that all who receive Christ are sons of God (John 1:12, Romans 8:14, Galatians 4:6, Philippians 2:15, 1 John 3:1&2), does it not follow that Christ bears a particular Son-ship which is not of the same nature with our own? Does Christ not proceed from the same substance with the Father with like nature and complete agreement of purpose? Are we likewise perfect as sons of God? May I remind you that we are not in any wise like unto Christ in fullness of righteousness, power, or holiness? We have no righteousness of our own, but claim that IMPUTED righteousness of Christ. So how do we differ from Christ if we are also sons and daughters of God? Romans 8:15 gives the answer most clearly: For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God (Romans 8:14-16) I consider it most necessary to make this distinction. I realize that there are some references in the New Testament to Christ as the Son of God, but the context always clarifies His special status as separate in nature from you and me.
ALMIGHTY God, who hast given thine only Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin, and also an ensample of godly life. Why do targets display a bulls eye (the large black dot at the center) surrounded by ever larger concentric circles? Why not just display the bull’s eye alone and be done with it? The bull’s eye is difficult to hit by the trained marksman, but the outer circles give him some understanding of how NEAR the bull’s eye he came. The righteousness of Christ is the Bulls Eye at 500 yards, at 1,000 yards, and at one million miles distant. When a marksman aims at the target, he aims at the bull’s eye, but at a great distance away, he will often miss that bull’s eye – the outer rings also count for points, but not as much so as the bull’s eye. If we simply aim at the whole target, we will seldom approach the bull’s eye of righteousness and may even miss the whole target. When we aim, in our lives, for the Bulls Eye of Righteousness which Christ has established, we will always come closer to the perfect point than if we only aim at the general area. As our lives are continually sanctified by the inner workings of the Holy Ghost, our marksmanship will also improve by and by. Christ is our example after whom we must always tailor our lives and conduct. We can never be perfect in the way that He is perfect, but we will come closer to that perfection by continually striving to hit the mark.
But far more than an example to us is Christ as our Redeemer of our sin-debt. Without His sacrifice at Calvary, we would be far-gone on the road to Hell. It is Christ’s death and resurrection that offered us the opportunity to aim at that perfect Bulls Eye He has set before us.
The early heretical teachings of Pelagius (they are still in the major churches of America) taught that we could strive to be righteous enough on our own to gain salvation if we only winked at God from time to time. The Holy Scriptures refute that heresy. We have not even a hint of righteousness on our own merits and efforts – all of our righteousness comes by grant of grace from God. It is His grace working in our members that lead us in the paths of righteousness. Being blind as sheep, we cannot find that path without being led there. The Shepherd Psalms points that out: “….he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.” (Psalms 23:3) If we are led, indeed, by the Hand of God and not by our own whims and imaginations, we shall surely find those paths of righteousness. Give us GRACE that we may always most thankfully receive that his inestimable benefit You will note that even our thankfulness is a result of God’s endowment of Grace to us. The benefits we claim are not even our own, but HIS. Those benefits are immeasurable and, in the end, all that benefits Christ benefits those of us who are IN Christ.
“…..and also daily endeavour ourselves to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life” What are those steps which we beg to follow? Those steps lead us upon the wind-tossed Galilean seas and along its shorelines where many needy people are gathered begging for mercy. They lead us in out-of-the-way places such as to a Well outside the gates of Sychar. They lead us into public conflict with wicked rulers and erroneous religious teachers. They lead us into the Wilderness of Life to be tempted of the Devil. They lead us into the public square to defend a helpless woman against her hate-mongering accusers. They lead us into the House of Praise and Worship and may require us to clean it out of commercialism. They lead us to a sorrowful last supper with those we love and cherish. They lead us into the Garden of prayer and weeping. They lead us to the courtyard of our accusers who falsely label us as blasphemers. They lead us to the place of thorns and torture….to the Magistrate’s false trial…..to the cross – ever to the CROSS! They lead us to a BORROWED grave, and, finally, to a glorious resurrection with Christ! That daily endeavoring which prompts us to the paths of righteousness is also evidence of the free grace of God which is ever-flowing into our cups and causing them to overflow…..”….my Cup runneth over.” Speed the day that the heavens shall be rolled back as a scroll, and we shall behold the Fountain of our Salvation descending for us with the white-robed Armies of Heaven. AMEN.
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HIS is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. (1 Peter 2:19)
Jesus is not ‘a’ Way,’ ‘a’ Truth’ or ‘a’ life. He is the ONLY Way – only Truth – only One by whom Life comes.
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ERILY, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. 6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. 7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. . (John 10:1-16)
The world is full of would-be shepherds today, but the only Good Shepherd is the Lord Jesus Christ. Satan sends many imposters among us promising signs and wonders, prosperity and power, but only our Lord Jesus Christ has the welfare and joy of our souls at heart to prosper in truth, understanding, wisdom, and joy.
We have just observed the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord, and we are told He is the shepherd whom we follow. As His sheep, He chose us – we did not choose Him. If we follow Christ all the way, He will lead us beside the still waters and green pastures; but His Way also leads to the cross which we must bear daily as He bore daily. Following the Good Shepherd, all the Way also leads beyond the cross, beyond the grave, and finally to that resurrection into eternal life assured by our redemption in Him.
Sheep and children are closely related in character. We often refer to innocent children as "little lambs,' and certainly, they are, not having carnal knowledge. If the Federal Department of Education has its way, they shall attain that knowledge as early as Kindergarten! What a disgrace to inflict such immoral training on little children. If we trained little lambs to believe that they were wolves, how long would they fend for themselves in the wilds? Lambs must be provided food and shelter by their shepherd. Children must be provided the same by loving parents. Lambs have vision that is limited to only a few feet before them – so it is with little children as to insight and wisdom. The wolves are forever trying to separate out the most vulnerable lamb to satisfy an insatiable appetite. So do the wolves of the world seek out the children to corrupt and indoctrinate against the Moral Law of God.
But, as we have discussed in many devotions, Christ is our Good Shepherd and He brings us to safe lodging in protected folds. In fact, He is the very Door of the Fold through which no one can enter without Him. We never mature, as Christians, to a point in which we are mature in Christ. We may study Holy Writ 10 hours per day, and every day of our lives, but, yet, never gain a full comprehension of all that it contains of the Bread of Heaven and the Water of Life. If you did gain such a full comprehension of all that God has said in His Book, where could we go for more Bread and more Water?
Jesus said to His late-night guest, Nicodemus: "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3) Have we deeply considered the significance of that counsel of the Lord to the proud Pharisee? Is this counsel of Jesus not closely related to that which He gave in the Gospel of St Matthew? Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. (Matt 18:3-6) Are we not physically born into this world as little children? The same is true of the spiritual rebirth. Christ did not mean that we should be born again in the same way as our first birth, but that we become new creatures in Christ through a re-birth of our spirit. We are then as little children in the eyes of God. Even the sage theologian who loves, and has made the study of, God's Word a lifetime endeavor will also be simply as a little child in the eyes of God. You may look long and far to find such a theologian in our day.
Do not children know and understand the voice of the parent? So do the sheep know the voice of the Shepherd. Do not we hold the hand of our little children when we lead them across streets and in public places? Does the Shepherd not likewise lead His sheep tenderly along the mountain trails? Do we not teach our children to disregard following the voice of a stranger? So the sheep follow only the voice of their Shepherd. Does not the parent plan for the future of his child and do all he can to make his lifelong and healthy? Does not the Good Shepherd offer life, and that more abundantly? So Jesus uses things that we know of, and to which we can relate, to teach of higher truths that are presently beyond our understanding. Poor Nicodemus could not separate the symbolism from that being symbolized (at least at first). But Nicodemus never came to Christ under cover of darkness again, but publicly and openly.
How are Christian saints like children?
1. Children are heirs of all that the fathers possess: "….if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." (Romans 8:17)
2. Trusting in our Father as the lambs trust in their shepherd, we are made children of God: For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (Gal 3:26)
3. Children follow parents as lambs the shepherd: Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children (Eph 5:1)
Sheep are not born of the Shepherd but of other sheep. But those choice lambs, purchased by the Shepherd, become His charges even more than their natural parents who cannot provide for them as can the Shepherd. It is the sheep of the church that reproduces more sheep, and the Shepherd cares for them as His own. Children are begotten of parents. Saints are begotten of God.
Children inherit physical and mental traits of parents. Saints are endowed with the likeness and character of their God.
Children are given the `family' name of the parent. Saints are called `Christian' after Christ their Good Shepherd.
Children are not in every detail alike just as the children of God are not all alike in every detail. Each is given at least one talent with which to invest His labors for the Kingdom, but not the SAME talent!
The list of comparisons is limitless. We are all in Christ as children leaning on every word of the counsel of God with a due reverence. We are just as the lambs awaiting the Shepherds call to proceed or to stand fast; to enter the fold, or to remain without.
If we are yoked with spiritual pride, we are no longer children, and if not children, hold no part with Christ. We all, alike, must become as little children from the moment of our salvation until the closing of the long dark night of this life.
God has blessed me with so many children under my preaching in St Andrews Parish. It was EXACTLY that for which I craved. I LOVE children and find it so easy to train them up in the way that they should go. When I think back on those shiny little eyes listening attentively to my long sermons, I am amazed that they continued to return Sunday after Sunday. They had no complaint in singing the classic hymns of the church, or in reading from the King James Bible though, for most, English was their second language. What an amazing gift God gave me for more than fifteen years. I could never have brought such a lovely congregation together on my own efforts – it was the Good Shepherd who opened the Door and invited them in. How much I thank Him for the privilege. Regardless of their ages, those children will ALWAYS be MY children in love.
Have you followed the Counsel given by Jesus and become (and remained) as a little child?
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