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I am...the good shephered
Allen Wilkerson, preaching minister at the McCook Church of Christ, painted a pastoral image of green pastures, fresh spring water and the serenity of a clear blue sky Friday afternoon during the Community Lenten Service at First Congregational Church in McCook.
"A glorious and marvelous hope is found in the knowing that Jesus knows us," Wilkerson told 160 of the faithful, referring to John 10:14 "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep ..."
Wilkerson set the stage by describing the early morning scene for the shepherd and the sheep and counters that soothing vision with the likely reaction of those who first heard this I Am statement.
In fact, Wilkerson points out, at the close of the gospel account of this scene, in John 10:19-21, the crowd of Jews were shocked, even horrified, saying "He is demon-possessed and raving mad."
According to Wilkerson, there was good reason for their dismay. Each of the I Am statements claim the covenant name of God, including the name of the good shepherd.
The voices of the prophets of old had spoken of false shepherds, those that fed on the sheep of the fold rather than feeding the sheep. And the prophets foretold the coming of the good shepherd that would be sent by God to shepherd his people Israel.
"They had waited, generation after generation, for the appearance of this shepherd," Wilkerson explained. "There had been others, making this same claim, but they did not follow through, they cared nothing for God's flock."
The shepherds, the religious leaders of the day, no longer cared. They cared nothing for justice. They abandoned the widow and the fatherless and turned away from the will of God. Their chief aim, according to Wilkerson, was to ask "how will this benefit me, what am I going to get out of this?"
"Justice and mercy went flying out the window," he continued. "According to the the prophets, these wicked shepherds would be cast out and the good shepherd would take their place, restoring justice and mercy.
"Small wonder, then, that some said he was raving mad, said Wilkerson. "The good shepherd would expose and dispose of the wicked shepherds."
"Jesus said, 'I am the good shepherd.'" Wilkerson continued, "and then he set out to prove his claim."
Using the imagery recorded in John's gospel, Wilkerson also spoke about the hired hand Jesus had described. "This hired hand runs away when the wolf threatens the flock," said Wilkerson, adding, "The hired hand probably mutters on his way down the hill 'You can't pay me enough to risk my life for a few measly sheep'"
Jesus counters that truth with the central truth of his gospel.
"'I care about my sheep,' Jesus says," explains Wilkerson, "and then goes on to demonstrate just how much he cares with his next words.
"... and I lay down my life for my sheep. (John 10:15b) "No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord." (John 10:15b, 18a)
That's not the end of the story, Wilkerson quickly adds. "Jesus continues, 'I have the authority to lay it down and the authority to take it up again.'"
"Who can give life but God?" asked Wilkerson, answering, "That is his prerogative.
"Jesus received this authority from God, this command, as it is recorded in Scripture"
Wilkerson explained that Jesus was not just a good model of leadership, he was the one they had waited for and not only these but the "sheep of other folds, the Gentiles and all those who would hear him through the generations that have followed." All these, said Wilkerson, are the sheep of the good shepherd.
"We have a lot of things that clamor for our attention," Wilkerson shared in issuing a challenge.
"Friends, family, television, the Internet, work, household chores all seem to cry 'me first!'
"We have one choice we must make," he continued, "Will we follow Jesus, or not? He has done his part. Will we do ours?"
Wilkerson also served as worship leader. Members of the Church of Christ, Loren Anderson, Terry Ray, Dawn Carmody, Barbie Long, Michael Long and Wilkerson sang "Our God, He is Alive" a cappella, in distinct four-part harmony.
The series continues Friday, 12:05 p.m., at First Congregational Church with the Rev. Bruce Lester of the McCook Evangelical Free Church presenting "I Am the Resurrection and the Life."
Free will offerings are accepted at the entries to the sanctuary to support the work of the Red Willow County Area Ministerial Association which sponsors the annual event. Free will offerings are also accepted at the luncheon to offset the cost of the food.