Resurrection Lutheran Church, St Catharines

I’ve always had a personal affinity for numbers, I mean studying data and statistics to be precise. My background in business finance, coupled with over two decades of work-ex in business corporations, deepened this interest. So, nothing other than my interest in numbers and statistics led me to examine some publicly available data from the recent Canadian elections. I suppose, this should work as a formal disclaimer.

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Election Canada, the agency responsible for administering federal elections has reported a voter turnout of 68.7%, meaning close to twenty million Canadians cast their votes. Now, intriguingly, this percentage suggests something more – which is – nearly 70% of the Canadian populace based on the reported numbers, actively seeks to elect or select a leader to govern, guide, and protect them. Ironically, the game of democracy is such that the power vested in voters transforms their elected leader into an authority over them. Consider this a bit of humour for your itchy elbow: those who vote freely often find themselves later bound by laws and regulations they come to regret.

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Not one candidate ever turns out to be perfect. No single leader meets all expectations for improved living conditions, daily necessities or security. Yet, it seems we have become diehard fans of the cyclic electoral system because we vote, regret, repeat. While history has witnessed some remarkable leaders, each has had their own inadequacies. All in all, it would be unfair to claim that the world lacks great leaders. The truth is, perfect leaders simply don’t exist among us.

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Today, the Church observes ‘Good Shepherd’ Sunday, a day that highlights Jesus as the perfect shepherd. But why the distinction? Does that imply, that there are bad shepherds too? Well, to answer that question, we must first understand the role of a shepherd.

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In ancient civilizations, shepherding was one of the primary vocations. The Bible frequently mentions shepherds and sheep both in the real, ancient world of Israelites and through vivid imageries in the parables and clear words of Jesus. Shepherds, in most Biblical illustrations and stories, personify leadership. They are entrusted with guiding, protecting, and sustaining the sheep, ensuring they find good pastures. Much like voters long for a leader who will govern, guide and protect them, sheep depend entirely on the shepherd. Yet, as Jesus warns in the Gospel of John, there are bad shepherds too. As we heard in John’s Gospel, Jesus Himself defined and explained the characteristics of bad shepherds.

 

A bad shepherd is not a perfect leader as Jesus says:

• A bad shepherd is like both, a hired hand and a thief, who does not own the sheep – Someone, who usurps the place of the shepherd, therefore is not even a shepherd.

• He is someone, who cares nothing for the sheep – for all he wants is to kill the sheep for wool, meat, hide or to sell the sheep away for his personal gain.

• He is someone who sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees away – not because he flees from the wolf, but he leaves the sheep by leading them to the fangs of the Wolf. So that the wolf can tear them apart.

 

This description of the ‘bad shepherd’ leaves us with thoughts of those who rule for their own gain, exploit the weak, abandon their people in times of crisis, and ultimately fail to guide with wisdom, truth, and compassion. This portrayal of the bad shepherd compels us to reflect on the world around us. Those in positions of power, who lead not with compassion, but with selfish ambition. Whether in politics, business, communities or even in our Lord’s Ministry, we see examples of leadership that mirrors the characteristics Jesus warned against. And, so His words, serve as a sobering caution: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” [Matt. 7:15]

But why does He caution us?

 

Because He knows that we can be easily lured. We are no different from His first creation – the first Man and the Woman. Like them, we too are easily led astray from Him. Therefore, Jesus calls us ‘sheep’ – timid and defenseless, when the Wolf and its accomplices strike. And Jesus knows that we may readily scatter. In fear, we may desperately seek someone who can protect us, guide us, or govern us. And if we choose to be led astray, guided by our sinful thoughts, even to the point of demanding a leader from the Wolf’s gang, Jesus in His boundless love and mercy, reminds us that He alone is our Good Shepherd.

 

Jesus stands apart as the Good Shepherd, for He neither deceives nor abandons His sheep when the Wolf attacks. Jesus is the Good Shepherd because He has laid down His life for us, allowing Himself to be struck down by the Wolf to protect His flock. In this strange act of the Good Shepherd, laying down His life, and by the even stranger act of taking it up again, He not only saves His sheep but also conquers the Wolf. The Good Shepherd is appointed by His Father in heaven, who in turn appoints His undershepherds to lead, guide, and protect His sheep in all places. The sheep of His fold are then led into lush, green pastures to feed for life – not just for the numbered years one can count but for eternity.

Those who hear His voice, and know Him, choose to be led by His undershepherds never seek another –even in times of distress caused by the Wolf and its accomplices. For Jesus carries His sheep as One flock, led by Him alone, the true and only Chief Shepherd.

 

You may ask, where are such sheep?

You are His sheep! You, who listen to His Word and share in His Holy body and blood as the fellowship of believers. Though you continue to endure the hurt and pain caused by sin, death, and the Devil, Jesus’ grace remains sufficient for you! You are the flock of the Good Shepherd, whom He faithfully guides, protects and sustains for life eternal. Unlike the ‘bad shepherds’ who draw near for selfish gain and destruction, Jesus, the One true Good Shepherd desires to keep you in His arms forever.

 

Today, as we celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of your beloved Resurrection Lutheran Church, I am certain that many of you hold treasured, heartwarming reflections of the years gone by. It is most likely that you would share those moments with one another after the Divine Service. Perhaps together with a tear shimmering on your eyelashes, magnifying your vision and a beautiful, radiant smile spreading warmth and comfort among all. But know this: Jesus partakes in every emotion that you live today and, in the days, to come. This is how He holds you close in His stretched-out arms.

Jesus has brought you to this hilltop, revealing the true mystery of His ecclesia, the Church, as One body in and with Him. And now this ecclesia of Resurrection Lutheran nestles within the formation ground of Jesus’ undershepherds. Where Jesus has made you frontrunners of His ministry, through your faithful service among the future bearers of His Word. And now, you, the congregation of Resurrection Lutheran – are fed on this hilltop with the confessional zeal of true Lutheran doctrine and the pure Word of God.

 

Now, may the One true God, continue to guide and protect you under His One flock, and sustain you for eternal life in Christ, His Only Son, our Lord who lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.