Dear Readers and Listeners, Friends in Jesus Christ,
Our watchword for the week following the Sunday after Misericordias Domini is taken from the Gospel of John; Chapter 10 verses 11, 27 and 28, “I am the good Shepherd. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life,” (NRSVB). In the Lutheran tradition this Sunday is known as Good Shepherd Sunday for the Gospel Readings are taken from Jesus’ Lessons teaching his disciples through scripture who he is, the Good Shepherd, spoken of in the Prophet Isaiah. He reveals to his followers more of his attributes and the roles that he fulfils as foretold by the prophets. As God told Moses from the burning bush: “I am,” the God who will send you; so Jesus reveals: “I am, the Way, the Truth and the Life, the Good Shepherd, the Light, the Living Water and the Bread from Heaven.” The Messiah, the Prophet of the Lord, is identified as the Shepherd who would lead the flock, Israel, to safety, to the Psalm 23 banquet. Those who hear the Shepherd’s voice are those who belong to the flock. They follow him and he leads them to life everlasting. The Latin name of this Sunday is derived from the initial words framing the Introit from Psalm 33, “Misericordias Domini plena est Terra,” (The earth is filled with the mercy of the Lord). Jesus Christ has identified with the sheep of his fold to such and extent that he became the Lamb that was slain as ransom for the flock, the Passover Lamb. His heart is filled with love for the lambs and the sheep of his fold. Jesus instructed Peter, whom he called, “the Rock on whom the church would be constructed,” to feed the sheep and guard the lambs. They are Christ’s flock, assembling around the world, to worship the One who leads this flock.
The watchword for this Sunday is taken from a prayer of King David. He started his work as a shepherd and fought with dangerous animals protecting his flock. There in the field he was taught the way of the sheep and these lessons he applied in his rule as King over Israel. His heart was always turned to the Lord, and he searched the paths of righteousness through scripture. He wrote psalms and prayers throughout his life to praise God’s mercy and loving kindness. God revealed to David, through the message of the prophet Nathan, that his rule would be blessed through his son and his throne would be established forever. David prayed to God, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house before you that You have brought me this far? You are great O Lord; for none is like you,” Second Book of Samuel, Chapter 7 verses 18 and 22, (Amplified Bible). Jesus Christ was born in the City of David, Bethlehem. Jesus, the Shepherd of all the Nations, has surely established the promises of God to his servant, King David, the shepherd king.
The Apostle Paul, like King David, was also over-awed about God’s grace to him and writes in his First Letter to the Corinthians in Chapter 15, verse 10, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not for nothing, it was not in vain,” (Amplified Bible). God revealed himself as the “I am,” the God who was, is and shall be forever. Jesus Christ revealed himself as the gifts of water and manna for the soul, the shepherd who is the Way, the Truth and the Light and the One who leads us into life, everlasting. Because of who God is, and who Jesus Christ is, we can be all that we can be, as Paul says, “I am, what I am, by the grace of God.” This grace of God made us sons and daughters of God, brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ, co-heirs of life everlasting. David wrote in Psalm 8 verse 4, “What is humanity that you are mindful of it?” God so loved this world, the cosmos, humanity, that he gave his only Son for us! God’s grace and his word will not return to him empty, for his flock will feast at the table set for them.
Father, you lead us in your paths, surely goodness and mercy shall follow us, Amen.