“For the Love of God is This”

Meditation on 1 John 5:1-6

May 10, 2015

Mother’s Day

^5:1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. ² By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. ³ For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, ⁴ for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. ⁵ Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? ⁶ This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth.”

***

     Since the birth of my first child more than 25 years ago, I have enjoyed Mother’s Day.  Not that I ever really have any “big” plans. I work on Mother’s Day, of course, because I am a pastor, so I am just happy if I am able to be with my husband and at least some of my children for some of the day and share a simple meal at home. Doesn’t need to be fancy! Mother’s Day for me usually means long distance phone calls or Facebook messages and emails. Josh is in the Air Force, stationed in California. Danny, Hiu-Fai and our grandchild, Sie Sie, live in Boston. My parents live in Florida.

    What I like best about Mother’s Day is that it provides us one more opportunity to remember God’s goodness to us! And to give God thanks! I am thankful for my mother, who is still living. So many people my age no longer have both parents living! And I am thankful for all the older women who have served as spiritual “mothers” for me over the years. I am especially grateful for the wonderful blessing of my children--and a grandchild now, too!

    It may surprise you, though, that in spite of my own personal joy on Mother’s Day, I have come to believe that celebrating motherhood in the church and lifting up only women who have children is unfair and unjust, and perhaps even cruel for some. For God, who opens and closes the womb, has not given every woman a family of her own. How do they feel on Mother’s Day? Other women are separated from their children--and children from their mothers--due to military service or other overseas jobs or mission work. How do they feel on Mother’s Day? And what about mothers who struggle with the tasks of mothering and feel like a failure, particularly if their children may have gotten in trouble at school or with the law? What about the many mothers who have lost a child to death? Or children whose mothers have recently passed away? How do they feel on Mother’s Day?

     Mother’s Day, for some, is not a day of joy, but instead is a reminder of pain and sorrow or disappointment, like pouring salt into an open wound. I wonder how many women have left a Sunday worship service on Mother’s Day with tears in their eyes, rather than being lifted up and inspired to serve God more?

     This year, my friends, I am determined that we be sensitive to the needs of all our sisters in the Lord. Our message today, stirred by a heart to serve God and build up the Body of Christ rather than tear down any of its members, is all about love.

   

***

    I was glad to encounter this passage in 1 John in our lectionary readings for today.  It’s full of the language of family relationships! But it is the perfect passage for today, when we might be distracted by thoughts of family gatherings or problems; it turns our eyes and our hearts back where they belong--to Jesus and our family of faith.

      The familial language doesn’t celebrate human beings or call attention to our accomplishments, failures, weaknesses or strengths. But this is language we can all understand--because we have all been born and raised in a family of some kind. This familial language is how we learn about relationships--Jesus with God, God with us through Jesus Christ, and caring relationships with one another, in obedience to God. For our love for God is revealed by our willingness to submit to what God requires of us. And what does He require? That we love one another.

     We use family language--“Father,” “Son,” and the “children of God”-- to talk about God, Jesus and ourselves all the time, without giving it much thought. We say that fellow believers are “brothers and sisters in Christ,” usually without being aware that when we talk this way, we are radically redefining the terms as we use them in our society. We learned this from Jesus. Our Lord taught us to pray to our “Heavenly Father.” He spoke in parables about the kindness and generosity of the Lord by using family language and relationships. In Matthew 7:9-11, Jesus asks, “…what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone?" Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him?”

     While Jesus uses family language to teach about God’s love and His close relationship with God, he also emphasizes the importance of this new family of believers, united in Him, over the worldly community, the foundation of which are biological families. Jesus does this partly by refusing to use family language for his own “blood” relatives. In Matthew 12:47-49, when someone says to Jesus, “Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside seeking to speak to You,” Jesus answers, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?"  And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He says, “Behold My mother and My brothers!”  He also urges would-be followers to show their commitment to God and the call to discipleship by not returning home to bury their loved ones or even to say goodbye. Jesus says in Luke 9:62, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

       In 1 John, we discover the word “born” used not to mean a physical birth, but a spiritual rebirth, much like in the gospel of John 3:3 when Jesus tells Nicodemus, who visits him secretly in the night, that unless one is born again one cannot see the kingdom of God. Being “born of God” in 1 John is made possible only by faith and making a public declaration of our love for God. If we are silent or “secret” believers, then we are not true believers! All who profess love for God are “born of God” and are “children of God.” But if we love God, then we must also believe in Jesus Christ, God’s Son, says 1 John 5:1, for “everyone who loves the parent loves the child.”

     The main point of this passage, friends, is not really that we must believe in Jesus Christ, for the writer of this letter knows that he is already talking to believers. The letter is meant for the Church! The main point of this passage, as is much of this epistle, is that when we love God and seek to obey his commandments, we will also love one another---for this IS his command. And brothers and sisters, we can do this--we can love one another--if we have faith. We can obey! First John 3 assures us that God’s “commandments are not burdensome.”

     This passage is encouragement to those who may feel beaten down by the world. Don’t let the disappointments and pain of this world steal your joy. Each of us, at one time or another becomes discouraged amidst our trials or suffering. That’s when we need one another the most! We need to hear words of kindness and hope. Sometimes, we just need someone to listen and say nothing--least of all something judgmental! Sometimes, we just may need a hug. We often need to be reminded of God’s unfailing love and new mercies every morning. We are forgiven! We are set free! We need others to pray with us and for us. For when we are discouraged, we are powerless to live as the Lord would have us live! The only way to conquer the world, friends, is to confess our doubts, fears and anxieties! Give them all to the Lord and receive His grace.

    Together, with faith, we will conquer the world. We will have victory because of our faith in Jesus Christ and the love of God-- our love for God--that will lead us to love one another.

Let us pray.

Holy One, how can we ever thank you enough for what you have done for us through your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ? Thank you for giving us our faith in Him, a faith that will conquer the world, a faith that cleanses us from all sin. Thank you for the hope and promise we have of new life in Your Son. Forgive us for becoming discouraged through our trials and our suffering and for when we may have neglected others who have been struggling. Teach us to pray for our brothers and sisters and reach out with your love to those who are hurting. And Lord, we pray a blessing on the women of our congregation and community this day. May they feel your loving presence with them and hear your voice. Stir all the women of our community to respond to your call in faith, without looking back from the plow. Help us all to obey your commands. May we all learn, by your Spirit and through your Word and prayer, to love one another--as you command us to do. In Christ we pray. Amen.

“A Life Led By the Spirit”

Meditation on Acts 8:26-40

April 3, 2015

     

“Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Get up and go towards the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ (This is a wilderness road.) So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. Then the Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go over to this chariot and join it.’ So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ He replied, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this: ‘Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, and like a lamb silent before its shearer, so he does not open his mouth. In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.’
      The eunuch asked Philip, ‘About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?’ Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?’ He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he was passing through the region, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.”

***

       We talk a lot about being “led by the Spirit” in our church. We pray that God will lead us, by His Spirit, and empower us to do His will. But do we really live a Spirit-led life? What does it mean to be led by the Spirit? How do we know if the Spirit is leading us or if we are just acting on our own desires, doing what seems right?

     The answer lies with our hearts. Are we living to please the Lord--or ourselves? Are we willing to live by faith, trusting in God to use us for His purposes and know what is best for us? Or do we walk in fear, unwilling to take risks or step out of our comfort zones?

     Philip is a great example to us of one who lived a Spirit-led life. This Philip in Acts is not one of the original 12 disciples. After Christ’s death and resurrection, he is appointed with Stephen and 5 others to do the work of a deacon--feeding and caring for the poor, orphans, and widows in the early Christian community. He soon earns a reputation as an evangelist when persecution scatters the Church. He goes to Samaria to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. The crowds listen eagerly, and a magician named Simon becomes one of his converts.

    Today’s passage immediately follows Philip’s mission in Samaria. Now an angel appears to him and tells him to take a wilderness road. His response is immediate and without protest. Verse 27 says, “so he got up and went.” Philip keeps his eyes and his heart open to the Spirit’s leading and he encounters a eunuch, an official in the court of the queen of Ethiopia. Now, I have heard Bible teachers sometimes talk about how the man was probably not welcome in the temple of Jerusalem because he was an Ethiopian and dark-skinned. But others say the problem wasn’t his nationality or skin color. In fact, some Ethiopians were Jewish! The main obstacle to his acceptance would have been his sexuality, which was in violation of Jewish purity laws. Eunuchs were neutered males, castrated before puberty so they would be deemed “safe” to serve among women of the royal household. Deut. 23:1 prohibits anyone who has been sexually mutilated from admittance to the assembly of the Lord.

   But Philip has no idea who is in the chariot or that he is reading the prophet Isaiah when he responds to the Spirit’s urging. Again, there’s no reluctance or hesitation. He runs to the chariot and offers to help the man understand the scripture he is reading. The eunuch invites him to get in. Because the Spirit has arranged this encounter, the eunuch trusts this lone stranger who suddenly appears and offers to help him interpret the Bible. Philip is eager to share the gospel with this worldly man, whose dress and royal chariot must certainly reveal his prestigious position in the queen’s court, a job open only to a eunuch.

    So now you understand the significance of this man, after becoming a believer, asking Philip, a Jew, who would not normally be permitted to worship with him, “What is to prevent me from being baptized?”

     Of course the answer is, “Nothing at all,” though Philip doesn’t speak. Christianity is open to all people. God’s love, revealed in the sacrifice of His Only Son, is for the whole world. The passage ends with Philip baptizing the eunuch, who goes on his way rejoicing. And Philip continues to allow the Spirit to lead him. He proclaims the good news of Jesus Christ everywhere he goes.

***

    What can we learn from this passage about living the Spirit-led life?

     First, living by the Spirit requires faith and a desire to please the Lord. Philip never questions whether the angel is from the Lord or the Spirit is God. His immediate obedience shows his desire to submit to the Lord and please Him. Philip knows that God has a plan for his life and he accepts God’s plan. He wants the Lord to use him for His purposes, for the salvation of the world. He doesn’t run from his calling! We, too, must trust that the Lord will use us for His work.

      Second, prayer is necessary, but don’t stop there. Yes, we must seek the Lord, and be in conversation with Him every day. Remember, prayer involves our speaking AND listening for His voice. But life in the Spirit doesn’t just happen as a result of prayer.  We have to be intentional about seeking God’s will and doing it! We have to be willing to respond to the Spirit’s leading.

     Three, the Spirit-led life involves taking risks like Philip and having the courage to obey! Often God’s will is not what is on our calendars or something that is familiar and comfortable for us to do! It may involve something we have NEVER done before in a place we have never gone with people we have not yet even met.

    And four, the Spirit-led life involves bringing the good news of Jesus Christ to the world, usually through relationships, one person at a time. Notice how active the Spirit was in Philip’s life as He sought to stir others to trust in the Lord, one by one. We aren’t living a Spirit-led life if we never study God’s Word or share our faith.

    What are some of the rewards of life in the Spirit? We have the peace of knowing that we are never alone! The Spirit that guides us lives inside us. We can always trust the Spirit to lead and empower us to do God’s will. And what a joy and privilege it is to see how the Spirit changes hearts and lives as we seek to draw others closer to Him.

Let us pray.

Loving God, we thank you for your Spirit that lives within us. Thank you that we can trust in you always to guide and empower us to do your will. Give us courage to take risks, Lord, like Philip, and go places we have never been and talk to strangers about your Word and our faith. Forgive us for becoming too comfortable, at times, in our own communities, not venturing far from our families, friends and neighborhoods. Stir us to move out of our comfort zones to meet and befriend new people. Fill us with a passion to help build your Kingdom, bearing witness to your Spirit changing hearts and lives, one by one. In Christ we pray. Amen.

Meditation for the Funeral Service for Merna Aalderks

May 2, 2015

      ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, “What will we eat?” or “What will we drink?” or “What will we wear?” For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ‘So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today. (Matthew 6:25-34)

***

     I was out of town visiting my family when I learned that Merna had fallen and broken her hip. Sadness washed over me. My first thought was, “She was doing so well!” The previous Sunday, family and friends had visited her at Renvilla to celebrate her 85^th birthday. She felt strong enough to attend our communion service that afternoon in the nursing home chapel. It was a good day.

      Now she needed surgery, but she was too fragile. And Merna, who had suffered with Parkinson’s disease for years, had expressed the desire to go home to be with the Lord. She was ready.

      Since my return flight would not be for another 3 or 4 days, I worried that I might not make it back in time to say goodbye. I wanted to be there to comfort and support the family during her last days and moments with them. I shouldn’t have worried. I should have just trusted the Lord--that He had a plan. There would be time for all of our goodbyes. I was able to visit and pray with her and her family on several occasions. Once, I saw her smile and kick her feet under the covers when I whispered something silly in her ear. And I could tell she knew who I was. With two family members nearby, Merna died gently and peacefully in her sleep early Tuesday morning.

      She had lived at Meadows, the senior apartments, since about a year after her husband, Dick, of 54 years passed away in 2002. More recently, she had moved to Renvilla where she could receive more direct nursing care. She was only able to attend worship services a few times at Ebenezer since I have been the pastor here. Each time, it was for a youth program at Christmas or Easter, when two of her great-grandchildren, Trent and Katelyn, had speaking parts. That she came to church at all, with all her health challenges and difficulty getting around, was a testimony to her faith, and her great love for her family and her sisters and brothers in the Lord.

      If Merna had been well enough to talk to me on the phone after her fall, she would have encouraged me not to worry about her or rush back. She would have said, “Spend time with your parents!” She would have asked me how my Dad was feeling because she knew he had been ill. And she would have said, as she often did, “Get some rest and take care of yourself. We don’t want you getting sick!” This was Merna--having grace and concern for others.

       I never left Merna’s room without feeling loved and appreciated, though I had visited her to make sure she felt loved and valued by God and her church. Merna’s family visited almost every day, but I knew she was still lonesome, at times, homesick for her farm and family, especially in the late afternoon, as the sun went down. I was happy to hear that Merna found comfort in my sermons, which Melvin Bakker brought to her in hard copy each week. I was even pleased to hear that if Merna were feeling especially emotional or agitated, her son, Rick, would read her one of my messages. Sure enough, she would fall asleep. J

     Merna feared she would become a burden as her health grew more fragile. She didn’t want people to fuss over her or put themselves out to help her. It wasn’t pride; she just felt that she should be the one caring for and helping others. That was her calling in life.

      A couple of years ago, we featured Merna in our church newsletter in a column called, “Member Spotlight.” Interviewing her for the article, I asked her about her service to the church. She said that she liked to work with the women in the kitchen in the church basement. She quipped, “I wonder sometimes how they get along without me!” She remembered Easter pageants, Mission Fests, and making Kool-Aid and cookies for kids during the 2 weeklong Bible school every summer. She recalled “picnics of all kinds.” “Always a picnic,” she said. “Always something to eat.”

      I asked her about hobbies. “Hobbies?!” she said. “Who had time for hobbies?! I worked.”

     In addition to milking cows; caring for Dick, Phyllis, Ellen, David, Rick and Jean; and helping to care for chickens and pigs, this tiny lady hauled grain. If you asked how she lost the tip of her finger, she would have shared with you a story. She was loading the grain trailer with her son, Rick, one day and didn’t get her hand away quickly enough when the door slammed down. On the car ride to the hospital she was more concerned about the wellbeing of her driver--her daughter-in-law Cathie--than her hand. Cathie says Merna kept asking her the whole way to the hospital, “How are you doing?”

     When asked about her favorite memories, Merna talked about the church’s 100^th anniversary celebration in 2006. “We went all out,” she said. “Tables set up outside. Sophie Abbas and Laurel Dikken played the organ.”  We talked about her many years of involvement with “Ladies Aid,” now “Presbyterian Women.” She had served as president of Ladies Aid, she said with a twinkle in her eye. Others remember her gifts of hospitality and encouragement. Alice Beekman, who joined the church after she married Lawrence in December 1958, recalls how welcoming Merna was to her, how she picked her up and drove her to her first Ladies Aid meeting, probably in January 1959. And how one time, when she was helping to serve dessert with Ladies Aid, Alice forgot to bring the ice cream. Merna put her arm around her and told her not to worry about it, that everything would be OK. She was right, of course!

      If you visited Merna’s kitchen while she was living on the farm, she would offer you a delicious, home-cooked meal or a snack, such as freshly popped popcorn or her favorite, Rice Krispie Treats. You probably saw her many photos and read the many newspaper clippings that she posted on her refrigerator. Stories to make you smile or chuckle. Words that rang true for her. Her daughter, Jean, gave me one of these little clippings, yellowed with age, that she had saved from Merna’s collection. This is a letter to Ann Landers from a reader in Gary, Indiana.

     “Dear Ann: My grandmother didn’t go to school but she was very wise. Before she died 60 years ago, she handed me a slip of paper with ‘all the advice you’ll ever need to have a good life.’ Here’s what she wrote: “Wash what is dirty. Water what is dry. Heal what is wounded. Warm what is cold. Guide what goes off the road. Love people who are least lovable because they need it the most.”

    When I read this passage in Matthew chapter 6, I think of Merna. She would want us who are gathered to worship the Lord and honor her life to hear this passage. Friends, the Lord is telling us that he doesn’t want us to worry about anything. He is commanding us not to worry! God will provide for all our needs.

      Jesus says, “You see all these birds flying overhead? They don’t work at all. They don’t sow; they don’t reap. Yet, God feeds them! You are so much more valuable to the Lord than the birds! And now, do you see the lilies in the field? They don’t work, either. They don’t toil; they don’t spin. And look how beautiful they are! God takes care of them, too. Even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed as fine as these! But you, even you who have so little faith! You are so much more valuable to the Lord than lilies! God WILL take care of you!”

     Merna would want everyone to leave today’s service knowing God’s love for them. And that you are valuable to Him, no matter your age, or what you can or cannot do. What is important is believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, that His grace is sufficient for all your sins, and seeking to live by God’s Word and walk in Christ’s loving ways. Brothers and sisters, be kind to one another! Encourage one another! Have grace for one another. Forgive one another! Reach out to help people in need, even those who may be hard to love. This is what it means to, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.” And God WILL take care of you!”

“The Wolf Snatches and Scatters”

Meditation on John 10:11-18

Fourth Sunday in Easter

April 26, 2015

‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.’  (John 10:11-18)

***

     We are in our last 4 weeks of our confirmation program now, here at Ebenezer. I am feeling a mixture of joy at how much they have learned and grown, excitement at what is to come for them, and sadness that our program is nearing the end. The class will be crafting their faith statements with their mentors over the next few weeks and present them to session on May 21. Lord willing, we will confirm them and welcome them as new members during worship on Pentecost--May 24.

     It is my hope that these months of study, prayer, and discussion have brought them to realize that being confirmed means much more than finishing Sunday school and becoming an adult member of the church. In confirmation, we affirm our faith and commitment to Jesus Christ and express our desire to love and serve the Lord. Faith is something that lifts you up and carries you your whole life through--wherever you go, whatever you do. Faith leads you to live differently than if your life’s goal is merely the pursuit of happiness. You are someone who can, with God’s help, rise up from the ashes, over and over, no matter how many times you stumble and fall. You are someone who can and will make a difference in someone else’s life!

     Today at 2, we will welcome two special guests who have touched many lives, John and Sara McKay from Union Presbyterian Church in St. Peter. John was born in Montreal. He is a concert pianist, with advanced degrees, who studied and performed throughout Europe. He is a former professor of music, teaching piano and music history at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, retiring in 2006. He is a ruling elder and served as our presbytery moderator last year. Sara is originally from Nova Scotia. She earned advanced degrees in vocal performance, traveled and performed in about 300 concerts across Europe. John and Sara moved to St. Peter in 1976. Sara was a cofounder of the St. Peter Choral Society in 1979.  She taught Vocal Music in the public schools for 22 years and directed children's musicals for 10 years in California with her daughter, Johanna, who is an actress. Sara presently directs her church choir.

       I hope the confirmation students and families will be inspired to take risks and try new things in order to serve the Lord when they hear John and Sara’s stories of faith. They are people who have followed the passions that God has placed inside of them! When you talk to them, you can’t help but be touched by their gentle, joyful spirits. You might think that they must never have had to deal with adversity--that they must have lived a charmed life to have accomplished so much. But that would be wrong. They have overcome trials without ever losing gratitude for what the Lord has done.

      John and I serve together on presbytery committees, including a group whose work has been quite challenging for me at times, especially, I think, because I am a relative newcomer to the presbytery. In the beginning, I felt like an outsider. After the most dismal meeting of all, John called me on the phone. When I heard his voice, I felt sure he was going to tell me that the group had decided that I didn’t need to come back. And I was ready to be relieved! But that isn’t what he said. He said he wanted to hear more of my ideas. He told me to write them down and share them with the group. He encouraged me, just when I needed it. He helped me to believe that I was valuable and that the Lord would use me, if I would persevere.

    And then Sara, about a month or two later, surprised me with a gift. She gave me a book, beautifully wrapped and tied up with ribbon. It was the true story of Maria Augusta Trapp, upon which the movie, The Sound of Music, was based. The book, she had told me, was all about Maria’s faith, something the movie, unfortunately, leaves out. Sara had met Maria when she had come to speak at Gustavis Adolphus College some years ago.

    When I got home, I opened the book and saw she had written a note on the inside cover. A tear slipped down my face as I read, “Thank you for your ministry!”

    John and Sara are not ordained pastors or “teaching elders,” as we now say. They aren’t paid staff at the presbytery. But they are shepherds, people who seek to bring the flock closer together and to draw more sheep into the fold. They seek to nurture and nourish. They reach out to the wounded sheep before they wander off or go astray. They do all this through a joyful ministry of encouragement, compassion and friendship.

     All of us, my friends, are called to be shepherds in the example of our “good shepherd,” Jesus Christ. But sometimes, perhaps because it’s a title for Jesus, we give it more prestige than what Jesus, who identified with the lowly, outcast, poor and marginalized, truly meant. In Jesus’s time, the mention of a “shepherd” was anything but “good”! Shepherds weren’t the educated, cultured elite. Their jobs were low in status and pay. They were rough, edgy people used to living outdoors with the sheep, which were anything but quiet, clean, white and fluffy, like they are portrayed in children’s stories. Shepherds weren’t usually seen as heroic, like David, the brave young shepherd who slew Goliath with a slingshot. They were more like the shepherds of Exodus 2, the ones who harass and drive from the well the daughters of the priest of Midian who came to draw water for their father’s flocks--until Moses comes to their defense.

       The image of shepherds was more often like Joseph’s brothers in Genesis 37, minding their father’s flocks, when they decide to throw their little brother into a pit and leave him to die. Just as the shepherd Jesus describes--the “hired hand” who runs away and leaves the animals vulnerable to wolves that “snatch and scatter"-- is truer to the reputation of shepherds of his day than our image of our loving, self-giving Shepherd/Savior, who lays down his life for His sheep in the gospel of John. Or whose rod and staff comfort us, in Psalm 23, so that we fear “no evil” though we “walk through the darkest valley.”

      One message that may be overlooked in this passage is the call to unity in the Body of Christ, though the Body is diverse, divided and widespread. In verse 16, Jesus says, “I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” Christ is gathering His flock from all peoples of the world--not just Jews as the disciples may have assumed because they were Jewish or English-speaking Americans, as we might be tempted to assume because of who we are and where we live.

    The passage ends without Jesus explaining the reference to the wolves. Who are they that seek to “snatch and scatter?” The Church in its early years  interpreted the wolves as heretics--people with dangerous, erroneous beliefs attempting to lead the flock astray from the inside of the fold. And it’s true that Jesus often called the religious “insiders” or leaders and important people of the day bad names, such as liars, hypocrites, white-washed tombs and snakes. In other places, though, such as in Matthew 10:16 and Luke 3, when Jesus talks about his disciples as sheep or lambs in the midst of wolves as he sends them out to "bring in the harvest," he seems to be talking about the evil out in the world--not within the community of faith.

     But whether we face danger from within or outside the fold, may we learn to be “good shepherds,” with the Spirit’s help, following Christ in his self-giving example. May we remember to care for one another and reach out to those within, beyond and on the margins of the fold with a ministry of encouragement, compassion, and friendship. Let us learn to persevere and remain united in faith, with Christians in every time and place, never fearing the “wolves”--whoever they are-that might seek to “snatch and scatter.”

    

Let us pray.

Holy One, thank you for your Word and the hope and promise of eternal life through belief in your Son! Help us to walk more closely with our Good Shepherd. Lead us to love as Christ loves, helping and encouraging one another, especially when we encounter someone in need. Forgive us for our impatience during times of trial and adversity and our tendency toward anger and discouragement, rather than responding in faith and hope. Save us, Lord, from the wolves and any other danger of this world! Help us to always trust in the One to whom we belong, listening for Your voice, and seeking to draw others ever nearer to the fold. In Christ we pray. Amen.