Easter 5 - Rogate - 2025

  

The Hymn #457     What a Friend We Have in Jesus
The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

With the voice of singing declare ye and tell this: 

utter it even to the end of the earth. Hallelujah!

The Lord hath redeemed His servant Jacob: Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Psalm. Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: 

sing forth the honor of His name; make His praise glorious.

The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19

Collect

O God, from whom all good things do come, grant to us, Thy humble servants, that by Thy holy inspiration we may think those things that be right and by Thy merciful guiding may perform the same; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual 

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. Christ, who hath redeemed us with His blood: 

is risen and hath appeared unto us. Hallelujah!

V. I came forth from the Father and am come into the world: 

again, I leave the world and go to the Father. Hallelujah!

The Gospel 
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #458                Our Father Thou

Confidence Means Faith

The Communion Hymn #653   Now the Light Has Gone Away
The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #660             Heaven Is My Home 

Prayers and Announcements

• Monday Memorial Day. The Veterans Honor Rose is on the altar.
• The Ascension Holy Communion Service is Thursday, 7 PM Central Daylight.
• Prayers and concerns - Pastor Jim Shrader, Chris Shrader, Sarah Buck, Kermit Way. Lito Cruz is getting better. Those suffering from emotional distress and those with metabolic disorders.
• Thursday is Ascension Day, 7 PM Holy Communion.

KJV James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. 27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

KJV John 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. 25 These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father. 26 At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: 27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. 28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father. 29 His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. 30 Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.

Enchanted Peace

Mark 1:34 And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him. 35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. 36 And Simon and they that were with him followed after him. 37 And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.

This passage and many more like it are examples of His prayer and its priority. Many prayers are formalities and many more prayers are mocked. However, this is concentrated in one exceptional passage -

KJV John 16:8 - And when He is come, He will reprove [convict] the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;

 The basic errors of these days and the past are based upon the problem of unbelief. 

• Many priests and clergy start and end on law and order. Pay the price. 
• The law is broken so it must be absolved. 
• How about emotion, being really, really sorry?
• Or ice cream names on fancy new chapels, libraries, and buildings?

Luther was trained in the forces of the priesthood. He struggled to understand and practice forgiveness. He felt guilty and felt the weight of all his sins, no matter how minor, and therefore felt no grace. The monasteries badgered their victims with Law and more Law. They inflicted pain on themselves and knew - at the same time - that their struggles were a lot of tommy-rot. There was no relief.

The interior life is quite powerful. Our brains are at work at all times and places, so we find ourselves in one arena or another or several at once. Concentration is a struggle because God has endowed us with so much mental energy.

But we do have one great asset from the Holy Trinity - the Holy Spirit convicting us of sin because we do not believe in Him. Although we have a great emphasis - Justification by Faith (St. Paul, Romans 4-5 etc), on this Johannine passage directly from Jesus Christ is even more clear.

We can go through all the Scriptures and academic books without believing in Him. That was and is the great struggle. The rationalists, scoffers, and deniers can flaunt their knowledge but it is tied up in their lack of faith and therefore in all the follies of this world.

However, if we continue with a child-like faith, the blessings of Jesus Christ come to us in many different ways. As Jesus said, Let the children come to me and do not forbid (reject) them - the Kingdom of God belongs to them.

Prayer - Faith in Jesus

The greatest gift the Savior offers us is a complete knowledge of His kindness, compassion, spiritual wisdom, and trust. Even the disciples had their failings in three years and even after the Resurrection. But they were encouraged to take on the work of Jesus on earth while He managed from beyond, as Luther observed. Jesus did not stop His work but elevated it to a greater number, like the millions of stars predicted to Abraham, greater than all the sands of the sea.

There is no sorrow, trouble, or pain which the Good Shepherd is unable to heal. John 10 and Psalm 23 encourage and comfort us in many ways. 

Individual prayer is the great blessing, because we can communicate with the Savior as easily as He can talk to us. It is a sin not to believe in Him. If we let the truths of the Bible take over our thoughts, many refreshing waves of joy can roll over us. We remember the disciples asking in fear in the dark raging storm, "Don't You care if we die?!" But when fear takes over, faith flies out the window. That is why the heavenly forces - Jesus and His angels - watch over us to prove their efforts and their love.

  

Easter 4 - Cantate - 2025

  

The Hymn #347                           Jesus Priceless Treasure                     

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

Oh, sing (cantate) unto the Lord a new song: 

for He hath done marvelous things.

The Lord hath made known His salvation: 

His righteousness hath He openly showed in the sight of the heathen.

Psalm. His right hand and His holy arm hath gotten Him the victory.

The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19

Collect

O God, who makest the minds of the faithful to be of one will, grant unto Thy people that they may love what Thou commandest and desire what Thou dost promise, that among the manifold changes of this world our hearts may there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual 

Gradual

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. The right hand of the Lord is exalted: 

the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly. Hallelujah!

V. Christ, being raised from the dead, dieth no more: 

death hath no more dominion over Him. Hallelujah!

    

The Gospel              

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #132                O God of God   

                 Jesus Teaching the Holy Spirit

Communion Hymn #259     Flung to the Heedless Winds

The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #657                        Beautiful Savior                     

In Our Prayers -

• Treatment and recovery - Pastor Jim Shrader and Chris, Lori Howell, . Dr. Kermit Way, Sarah Buck, Dr. Cruz is doing better. BibleJohn is getting diabetic treatments.
• The St. Louis tornado took 5 lives and much more to comprehend.
• Pray for our country's leaders as the major trials continue. 
• Biblical doctrine is broadcast live on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 10 AM Central. 
• The Bethany Lutheran Hymnal  has 91,547 views.

KJV James 1:16 Do not err, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. 19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. 21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

KJV John 16:5-15 5 But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? 6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;  11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

   Jesus Teaching the Holy Spirit

John 15:5-7 But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? 6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

This puzzles many people in great numbers, because they assume or argue everything except the message given, the Spirit-Word combination. 

• Everyone has to be excited and entertained. No.
• Everyone has to be learned, impressed by the most educated. No.
• Everyone has to name the newest building as an honor to him. No.
• Everyone has to be popular. No.

The Spirit works through the Word of God, so we are certain that gardens and fields, lawns and weeds will spring up, flower, fruit, and set seed. Jesus taught the disciples that they must mourn and be without Him as it was in their time together. These passages in John's Gospel show us what has to be so that a few hundred or thousand people can cover the earth with the Gospel of forgiveness and everlasting life.

8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;

This is the center of Jesus' work and cannot be escaped. Not only are denominations against faith in Jesus Christ, they openly ridicule the basics of the Good Shepherd's divinity - teaching, miracles, dying to atone for the sins of the world, rising from death and ascending to heaven. How is it that the Father of the Church Growth Movement - Donald McGavran - published his approval of Planned Parenthood? His book was the bible for all the Lutherans, including LCMS-ELS-WELS-ELCA.

That is the big picture, as they say, but it also covers the small one, down to the individuals, based on whether they believe the blessings, miracles, and divine help of the Savior. Some pick and choose.

I remember that my mother had me memorize the 23rd Psalm when I was in Sunday School. I was about 5 years old and we were at Plymouth Congregational Church, now gone, along with First Christian Church. I had her join the Lutheran Church later. Her last stay was in our sun-lit living room in Glendale, Arizona, not far from the venue of the ELCA convention in July. One final day I brought my Bible to her and said, "You taught me this, Mom." I read the 23rd Psalm to her and she passed into eternal life.

The foundational work of the Christian Church is to teach faith in Jesus Christ, in all aspects, from Genesis 1 to the end of time. The wife of my friend from Moline boasted about her studies at a joint-seminary  - Unitarian and Disciples of Christ. "They work together, unified!" So Christina said, "How can you tell the difference?" The lady said this - about the Virgin Birth of Jesus and His resurrection - "Those items are not very important." I was removed from my friend's Facebook list. He had all the catechism lessons of our Augustana congregation and he attended a Lutheran college. 

People feel the burdens of past errors, sins, and various difficulties. This issue is extremely important because the Bible is there for our healing and peace. "Access to His grace" is the key.

Easter 3 - Mother's Day 2025

 

Bethany Lutheran Church

Mother's Day

Sunday at 10 AM

Bible Lectures Tuesday and Thursday

Springdale, Arkansas

Pastor Gregory Jackson

Note - the hymn lyrics are linked to the Bethany Lutheran Hymn Blog for the hymn number; the tune is linked on the hymn's name. 

The Hymn #345     Jesus Lover of My Soul

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

Make a joyful noise (Jubilate) unto God, all ye lands: sing forth the honor of His name; make His praise glorious.

Psalm. Say unto God, How terrible art Thou in Thy works: through the greatness of Thy power shall Thine enemies submit themselves unto Thee.

The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19

Collect

Almighty God, who showest to them that be in error the light of Thy truth to the intent that they may return into the way of righteousness, grant unto all them that are admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s religion that they may avoid those things that are contrary to their profession and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual  

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. The Lord hath sent redemption unto His people. Hallelujah!

V. It behooved Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead: and thus to enter into His glory. Hallelujah!

     

The Gospel              

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
Sermon Hymn #651      Be Still My Soul

A Little While - Micron

Communion Hymn #250      Holy God We Praise Thy Name

The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #514        God Moves in a Mysterious Way

THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER

Lord God, heavenly Father, who of Thy fatherly goodness dost suffer Thy children to come under Thy chastening rod here on earth, that we may be like unto Thine only-begotten Son in suffering and hereafter in glory: We beseech Thee, comfort us in temptations and afflictions by Thy Holy Spirit, that we may not fall into despair, but that we may continually trust in Thy Son's promise, that our trials will endure but a little while, and will then be followed by eternal joy; that we thus, in patient hope, may overcome all evil, and at last obtain eternal salvation, through the same, Thy Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.

 

KJV 1 Peter 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. 13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. 15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. 17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. 18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. 19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

 

KJV John 16:16 A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father. 17 Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father? 18 They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith. 19 Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me? 20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. 21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. 22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. 23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

 

Mikron - A Little While

KJV John 16:16 A little while,  μικρον and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father. 17 Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?

This is a one-word sermon, so concise that one little word - mikron -  is repeated seven times. If we pay attention to what Jesus is saying - concise and yet a lifetime of wisdom - we will change our entire perspective. I could say a microscope or a telescope. One is very short, the other reaches out millions and billions of miles. Micro is tiny and scope means "exam closely." Tele means a long distance yet it provides a close examination. I used to stop traffic on a state highway when I got my very large telescope out in the front yard. People parked their cars to look, so they could look at craters within craters on the moon. Jupiter, Saturn? yes yes!

This passage has three vital lessons - parallels. 

1. The first involves Jesus Himself, who will undergo the worst of all punishments from Rome and the Jewish opponents. 
2. The second is the disciples going through the same kind of torture, the agony of losing their Savior in a horrible and drastic way - the cross. Childbirth is often no better and is always the cause of great concern. 
3. The third is the experience of the disciples, which begins with Stephen (ordained to serve under the disciples) being stoned to death by the Jewish mob yet seeing Heaven opened up.

KJV Acts 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

At a district meeting (LCA), a Harvard PhD seminary professor told the LCA pastors that Christianity grew by the sword. Nobody objected until I said, "You are completely wrong." He said, "Why are you saying that? I must have been taught that." I said, "You went to Harvard. That's why." Yale had a beautiful and serious, separate Day Missions Library. 

Day Missions Library, Yale Divinity.
Main YDS section - National Council of Churches, RSV editing.

This passage from John's Gospel is so clear that we miss the lesson about us. If we apply this to our own lives, we can see and experience what Jesus is saying about Himself, the disciples, and us. It is so simple that people skip past the message, and yet the early arrangers of worship though this was a very important study.  Great turmoil, discouragement, and release from the pain and sorrows - Jesus, the disciples, and the Christian believers - all participate together.

The lesson from Jesus is easy to remember (but often forgotten). We can dwell on the difficulties but they will be taken away. The Psalms especially are good at providing spiritual wisdom for our lives. The ending of Proverbs about the ideal wife and mother is just as true today and it was long ago.

What About the Anger And Guilt Dredged from the Past?

Some episodes can be extremely hurtful and discouraging, but what if they are the road to peace and calm? Even a step to all that one could hope?

The Good Shepherd is all of that - protecting us and guiding us to the still waters, driving away evil, resentment, and useless anger. We can say, "I know for a fact that the Savior will resolve this, the opposite of clenching our teeth or getting even or shunning as a punishment."

Prayers and Announcements

• Medical treatment - Pastor Jim Shrader and Chris, Sarah Buck, Kermit Way.
• Roses were distributed locally today - most of the cul de sac, BibleJohn, and two helpers from the area.
• Tuesday and Thursday 10 AM - Reformation Seminary, Acts
• New posts are Zoom linked, then added to the YouTube on the masthead, and also posted on the Worship and Reformation Seminary blog pages. All new YouTubes are linked on the Ichabod masthead.

Shepherd Sunday - On Monday - 2025.

   

Sheep and shepherd Biblical themes - 500 in all. Genesis 22. Psalm 23. Isaiah 40 and 53. Zechariah 13:7 & Mark 14:27. Luke 15. John 10.

"Isaiah 40:11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young."

The Hymn #436         The Lord's My Shepherd

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord: by the word of the Lord were the heavens made. Psalm. Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.

The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19

Collect 

God, who by the humiliation of Thy Son didst raise up the fallen world, grant unto Thy faithful ones perpetual gladness, and those whom Thou hast delivered from the danger of everlasting death do Thou make partakers of eternal joys; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual       

 

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. Then was the Lord Jesus known of the disciples: in the breaking of bread. Hallelujah!

V. I am the Good Shepherd: and know My sheep and am known of Mine. Hallelujah!

The Gospel              

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #269    O Lord Our Father Shall We Be Confounded

The Good Shepherd

The Communion Hymn #409   Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus             

The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #628             Shepherd of Tender Youth    

 

Prayers and Announcements

• Pastor James Shrader and his wife Chris, Kermit Way, Sarah Buck.
• The Meyer Family attended Enzo's GCU graduation.

 

 Second Sunday After Easter

Lord God, heavenly Father, who of Thy fatherly goodness hast been mindful of us poor, miserable sinners, and hast given Thy beloved Son to be our shepherd, not only to nourish us by His word, but also to defend us from sin, death, and the devil: We beseech Thee, grant us Thy Holy Spirit, that, even as this Shepherd doth know us and succor us in every affliction, we also may know Him, and, trusting in Him, seek help and comfort in Him, from our hearts obey His voice, and obtain eternal salvation, through the same, Thy Son Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.

 

KJV 1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

KJV John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

The Good Shepherd

KJV John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

In Koine Greek, Jesus' statement is "I AM the Shepherd the Noble," which means in modern translation - I am the Noble Shepherd, or I am the Shepherd above all shepherds. John 10:11 εγω ειμι ο ποιμην ο καλος, ο ποιμην ο καλος την ψυχην αυτου τιθησιν υπερ των προβατων.

"I AM" is simple and yet is the Name of God in Exodus 3 and in Exodus 20. "2 I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage."

This micro-lesson shows us that the greatest from all Jesus' titles is simple in words but overwhelming in its meaning. Therefore He states His role for all people on earth and expresses it in the simplest words, far more complex than Matthew, Mark, and Luke. That is why NT Greek students start (as I did) with John in Koine Greek.

Jesus - as the noble Shepherd - guides and protects us but also has laid down His life for that purpose. When people think, talk, or write about God, they can end up falling into condemnation under the Law, overwhelming guilt, fears and guilt. How many church additions have been built from people demanding that felt need? How many people avoid worship because it causes guilt? How many look at the numbers and fall into worries and depression?

12 But he that is an hireling [hired hand], and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

Jesus first expressed His love for his sheep and His willingness to take care of them, based on His own title as the Good Shepherd. His description cannot be overturned by anything contrary, so everyone can be helped and strengthened no matter how weak and alone they might feel. As one person wrote, anguish is not obvious. If someone has a broken bone or a bad cut, sympathy is quick and obvious. However, whatever is inside of us is far more difficult with emotions and past experiences. 

The hired hand is the snake oil salesman of every age. They always have the right thing to offer for a generous price in their own pockets (nasty pockets, in Lord of the Rings). When the victims find out it is a scam, they are doubly hurt. There is an ocean of difference between man's cleverness and God's work through the Good Shepherd.

The earliest era of Christian growth came from the Apostles teaching and writing the New Testament Scriptures. Those sacred writings were from the Holy Spirit and kept with astonishing persistence in many languages. Note that scallywags from each generation will try to replace the divine Word with their own opinions. Even that is horrible because they are being fed man's opinions instead of the Word of God. The hired hands get tired quickly and run away. 

14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

I was baptized as a baby and taught in Sunday School, VBS, etc. My mother taught school all week and Sunday School on Sunday. When I went home from the bakery  late at night, I stopped at Salem Lutheran Church and looked at the stained glass window lit up all night, shining in the darkness. It is the message of Christ that binds us to the Good Shepherd, who binds Himself to us.

15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

It is wrong to think God the Father is angry and harsh but the Son is merciful and loving. The Father/Son statement shows how they work together through the Holy Spirit, with an emphasis on the atoning death of Jesus, His mercy and love for each and every one of us.

16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

They shall have a comfortable church on a busy street near housing. They will look to their neighbors and say - Look at how well we have done with pop music, merch, and a grinning minister of enthusiasm.

Only the Word of God can accomplish His will. It is always effective, as the Scriptures teach, and never fails. That is an emphasis on the love of the Good Shepherd for us. The Gospel draws people to Him, and they know from the Spirit in the Word that the Savior is with them, guiding them, absolving sin, and thanking the Shepherd.

One of our regulars is a shepherd with a flock of sheep. They need him to stay alive, and the shepherd does that - even to help the ewe give birth and feed the lambs. The shepherd becomes the wet nurse to save mother and newborn lamb. The dog Ringo looks out for predators, too. Thus our modern day repeats the story of the Good Shepherd, not just in John 10 but throughout the Scriptures, so we have confidence and trust in Him.