Fourth Sunday of Easter
April 13, 2008

Acts 2:42-47; Psalm 23; I Peter 2:19-25; John 10:1-10

How appropriate that this week’s readings (except for Acts) are about sheep. My mother-in-law was an animal lover and her favorite thing was to go out among her animals and take care of them. When Dick and Shirley moved finally moved out to their farmette, Shirley was in heaven. They have lived there almost 20 years. Shirley had sheep, goats, pigs, steer, rabbits, chickens, and even a pony at one time. In addition, there were the usual dogs and cats.

In John, Jesus calls himself the Good Shepherd, who lays down His life for His sheep. He also calls himself the gate, by which we come into the fold. Today one of Jesus’ sheep, Shirley, is safe within his arms. In her lucid moments in the weeks before her death, she would ask anyone who would listen, “Do you know my Jesus?” The earthly Kingdom has lost a great evangelist. The heavenly Kingdom has won another sheep. Jesus said that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and that no one comes to God except through Him. No wonder David penned these words many thousand years ago.

1 The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,^[a]
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever.