What does Easter 4’s theme of sheep and
shepherd have to do with the Easter season’s message of the resurrection? On
the surface, there seems to be no connection. Why couldn’t this theme of Jesus
as shepherd serve to assure us of the nature of the risen Lord? Though he has
risen in glory and is soon to ascend to the Father, Christ continues with us as
a shepherd on earth, a shepherd who knows, cares, leads, and protects his sheep.
Though risen in glory and absent in the body, Jesus continues as an abiding
presence to care for his people. He is the good shepherd who died for his sheep
to rescue them from the wolves. His resurrection confirms his victory and he
continues to live as the shepherd of our souls.
Collect for Easter 4: Almighty God, merciful Father, since You
have wakened from death the Shepherd of Your sheep, grant us Your Holy Spirit
that, when we hear the voice of our Shepherd, we may know Him who calls us each
by name and follow where He leads; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our
Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
forever. Amen.
A Prayer for Agriculture: Almighty God, You blessed the earth to make
it fruitful, bringing forth in abundance whatever is needed for the support of
our lives. Prosper; we implore You, the work of farmers, especially in this
planting season. Grant them seasonable weather that they may gather in the
fruits of the earth and thus proclaim Your goodness. May we see by this noble
vocation that by Your aid we are helping to feed the world and cause all who
give thanks over their food to treat those who produce it with honor and
respect.
For the Hope of Eternal Life: Almighty and everlasting God, whose Son as
assured forgiveness of sins and deliverance from eternal death, strengthen us
by Your Holy Spirit that our faith in Christ increase daily as we hold fast the
hope that we shall not die but fall asleep and on the last day be raised to
eternal life.
An Evening Collect for Eastertide: Abide with us, Lord, for it is toward
evening, and the day is far spent. Abide with us and with Your whole Church.
Abide with us in the end of the day, in the end of our life, in the end of the
world. Abide with us with Your grace and goodness, with Your Holy Word and sacrament,
with Your strength and blessing. Abide with us when the night of affliction and
temptation comes upon us, the night of fear and despair when death shall come.
Abide with us and with all the faithful through time and eternity.
Monday,
May 5, 2014
– Psalm 23:1-3 The Antiphon for next Sunday’s Introit is taken from
Vs.1, “The Lord’s my shepherd I shall not want.” Shepherd is a widely used
metaphor used for Kings. David as King acknowledges that the Lord is his
Shepherd-King. Jesus as the shepherd of His people is expressed most plainly in
our Gospel lesson for this coming week.
Tuesday, May 6, 2014 –
Acts 2:42-74 –The sheep witness to the Shepherd. In our first
lesson, we have the issue of leadership in the 1st Century Church. What are the
qualifications for church leadership? The early church faced the problem of
choosing seven leaders. The apostles gave the people three criteria for their
selection: good reputation, good common sense, and spirituality. Can these
requirements be improved — character, judgment, and faith?
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
–1Peter 2:19-25 – The sheep suffer like the Shepherd. In the second
reading, Peter calls people straying sheep. Sheep are associated with straying
and wandering off from the shepherd and the flock until they get lost and in
danger of their lives. It is our nature to wander into sin, to carelessly leave
the leadership of God, and to go our own way. Modern people are known for their
mobility, insecurity, restlessness, a lack of roots, and loneliness.
Thursday, May 8, 2014
– John 10:1-10 –The sheep follow the Shepherd to life eternal. In
next week’s Gospel lesson Verses 7 and 9 teach that Jesus is the door to life
and salvation. He is not one of a series of doors to God. In today’s world, the
emphasis is upon pluralism — one religion being as valid as the next one.
Christianity is considered one of many ways to God. This passage contradicts
pluralism. The door to life, to God, to salvation, is Jesus. Is this not the
basis for evangelism and missions to non- Christian people? It is not done in
the interests of building up a monolithic religious organization in the hope of
getting a monopoly, but of sharing good news of salvation through Christ. Jesus
says in verse 10 that he came to bring abundant life to all people. What is life?
Our existence only makes sense when Jesus is at the center.
Friday,
May 9, 2014
– Psalm 23:4-6 The Psalm portion for this coming week is the
much-loved Shepherd Psalm. The benefits of have Jesus as our Shepherd-King is
that both goodness and love will literally pursue us. We are given the hope and
promise of life with God eternally. We will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever. Our future has been guaranteed. Because the Shepherd-King Jesus lives
forever, we have the hope and guarantee of dwelling with Christ throughout the
years of our life.
Saturday,
May 10, 2014
– John 21:15 -This verse is the inspiration for the hymn “I am
Jesus’ Little Lamb“{LSB 740} Three times Peter denied his Lord. Three times
Jesus asks the question “Peter…do you love me more then these? Thus, the Savior
asks us today, “Do you love Me?” “Do we love Jesus more than people, more than
your occupation, more than things? (In the case of Peter, these things were the
tools of his trade – fishing gear.) The Savior calls us to discipleship, to
take up His cross and follow Him. In this Easter season, we are directed by the
Savior to affirm the new life He gives us and to share with others the hope
that we have in Him. Scripture reminds us “in a twinkling of an eye” we will
all be gone – What shall be said of us then? May it be said of us that we
remain a sheep of His fold, a lamb of His flock, a sinner of His own redeeming.
Sources:
THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL © 1940 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
LUTHERAN WORSHIP © 1982 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
LUTHERAN SEVICE BOOK © 2006 Concordia Publishing
House, St. Louis, MO
Schnorr
von Carolsfeld, woodcuts © WELS Permission to use these copyrighted items is
limited to personal and congregational use.
LECTIONARY
PREACHING WORKBOOK A by John Brokhoff © 1980 CSS Publishing, Lima OH
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