Monday prior to Easter 4

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Psalm 78:70–72; 79:13; antiphon, John 10:14, 15b—Sunday’s theme of the Good Shepherd Who Cares for His Sheep is set by the Introit. The Good Shepherd is really a Noble Shepherd, who loves the sheep of His flock so much that He lays down His life for the sheep. He guides us with His skillful hand throughout our lives into His eternal kingdom. In response, we can do nothing else than give thanks to Him forever, and make future generations aware of all the Good Shepherd has done for them by recounting His praise, and by making known to all the salvation we have through His death and resurrection.

The Good Shepherd Cares for His Sheep

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came from the Father and became flesh among us in order to rescue us, His sheep. He laid down His life for us and took it up again in order to give us eternal life. By the preaching of His Gospel, He calls His sheep to Himself and keeps them with Him forever. As they hear His voice and follow Him, “they will never perish” (John 10:28), for “no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand” (John 10:29). In the same way, faithful pastors (literally, “shepherds”) “care for the church of God, which He obtained with His own blood” (Acts 20:28), “testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21). Therefore, with all the company of heaven, the Good Shepherd gathers his flock in worship, as they cry: “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:10).

Collect for Psalm 78: Lord Jesus Christ, shepherd of your Church, to strengthen our faith and to lead us to the kingdom, you renewed and surpassed the marvels of the old covenant. Through the uncertainties of this earthly journey, lead us home to the everlasting pastures, where we may praise you now and forever. [2]

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[1] The icon on the cover shows Jesus as the Good Shepherd. In the upper corners, we see the stylized letters IC and XC, which are abbreviations for Jesus Christ in Greek. The Greek words on either side of the head of Christ say Ο ΠΟΙΜΗΝ Ο ΚΑΛΟΣ, meaning “The Good Shepherd.” Again, notice the pierced hands of the Good Shepherd who lays up His life for the sheep. Copyright © Google Images

 

[2] Collect for Psalm 78, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. I © 1994 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY