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. 02 May 2022
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
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