The Collect O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. The Collect The image: Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads…. The Good Shepard whose voice is known. Each of the three years use the 23rdPslam with its unversally known opening line. The Gospel starts with John 10:1-10 in year A, John 10:11-18 in year B and John 10:22-30 in year C. The Gospel image is then the good shepherd working through to year C where the sheep know the voice of the good Shepherd. Acts 2:42-47 Those who had been baptized devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. Acts 2:42-47 All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. Context The reading is related to the very earliest period of the Church. Last week 3000 people were converted. The lectionary has skipped an interlude in which Peter performs a healing and is then hauled before the temple authorities and told to stop proclaiming which he quickly defies. This text is described as an idyllic description of the early church. “The breaking of bread” was apparently a common meal which included the Lord’s supper . Context Jerusalem Christians for a time, like the Essenes had everything in common. Acts 5.4 suggests that this was not a universal rule, but limited to Jerusalem. This period of the Church ended in Acts 8, when a persecution of the Church, scattered all but the Apostles. One agent of this persecution was one Saul, who would be Paul. This is the not so Idyllic part Acts 5:1-10 Ananias and Sapphira 5 But a man named Ananias, with the consent of his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property; 2 with his wife’s knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds, and brought only a part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 “Ananias,” Peter asked, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, were not the proceeds at your disposal? How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You did not lie to us † but to God!” 5 Now when Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard of it. 6 The young men came and wrapped up his body, † then carried him out and buried him. 7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you and your husband sold the land for such and such a price.” And she said, “Yes, that was the price.” 9 Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and died. When the young men came in they found her dead, so they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear seized the whole church and all who heard of these things. This Idyllic State was Temporary Christians may have abandoned the communal property model but care of needy remained a Christian characteristic. Romans 12:13 [From the 60 ADs] “Marks of the True Christian 9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10 love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. † 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.” And also in Hebrews thought to have been written before 70 AD. Articles of Religion 1. The Articles of Religion are found at Page 867 of the Book of Common Prayer. 2. In 1558 Elizabethan Settlement these 39 matters of doctrine were discussed but never adopted until much later. 3. At the formation of the Episcopal Church these were accepted as modified. These represent solutions to issues in the past and cast light on the core tenants but are no longer ‘required.’ 4. The BCP: “As established by the Bishops, the Clergy, and the Laity of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, in Convention, on the twelfth day of September, in the Year of our Lord, 1801. XXXVIII. Of Christian Men’s Goods, which are not common. The Riches and Goods of Christians are not common, as touching the right, title, and possession of the same; as certain Anabaptists do falsely boast. Notwithstanding, every man ought, of such things as he possesseth, liberally to give alms to the poor, according to his ability. Psalm 23 Dominus regit me 1 The LORD is my shepherd; * I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures * and leads me beside still waters. 3 He revives my soul * and guides me along right pathways for his Name's sake. 4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil; *
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; * you have anointed my head with oil, and my cup is running over. 6 Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, * and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. A Song Of Trust The LORD is compared to a shepherd. Soul in this context means a human’s vitality, the individualized principle of life. Right paths, literally “paths of rightness.” Darkest valley - “shadow of death” is an ancient, but probably fanciful, rendering. The LORD is compared to a gracious host. Dwell in the house of the LORD means to worship in the temple. 1 Peter 2:19-25 It is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God's approval. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. 1 Peter 2:19-25 "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. The Main Purpose Of The Letter Last week we discussed that 1 Peter was written to give its readers hope in a hostile situation. The argument was that the time of hostility would be short. This week, we move on in 1 Peter and reach a different argument. Suffering persecution when innocent is compared to the sacrifice of Jesus, an innocent suffering for our sins. The reading is chosen for today because the Sheep / Shepherd imagery. Omitted Section The text for the reading omits an important, but uncomfortable part. The sentence before the reading makes it plain that this was advice for slaves. “18 Slaves, accept the authority of your masters with all deference, not only those who are kind and gentle but also those who are harsh.” Time and Context The sentence would not have been uncomfortable to the society which received the letter. Slavery was an accepted social norm. Slavery of that day was of a very different sort than was practiced in the American South. In the 1830-40s such passages were used as ‘unanswerable’ arguments for slavery! Unanswerable? Does this remind you of anything? What other single sections or short excerpts are used today to justify harsh positions? This sentence alone would be hard for an abolitionist to deal with! When arguing that the New Testament in general calls for us to love and respect each other…. [remind you of any other current arguments and counters?] Context But combine the omitted sentence and the reading and a very different meaning jumps at you. It is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and sufferfor it, you have God's approval. Implication The reading in context – implies that slaves are suffering unjustly. This passage is then more a condemnation of slavery than a proof text in support. Remarkable for its day then. But Abolitionists . . . Did this passage then justify war to end slavery? “When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly.” A condemnation of injustice and call to non-violent civil disobedience as the proper response. Something for everyone So who all has been offended by this reading? Slave owners, old and new Abolitionists and Just about everyone else “Them” that’s for the status quo “Them” that want to fight to end it……. The World Vs. The Kingdom The sides contesting Slavery in the 19th Century and Social Justice in the 21stapproached these evils from a human/world perspective war or surrender. We know from the Parables that the logic and Justice of the Kingdom of God is very different than the world. So is there an approach we are missing, and that God is trying to teach? The Good Shepherd This fresco of the Good Shepherd was found on the ceiling of the Vault of Lucina in the Catacomb of Callixtus in Rome, c. 250. Good Shepherd images from Roman/Early Christian times
Catacomb painting, sarcophagus, and sculpture 4th Century Early Christian Sarcophagus 4thCentury Early Christian Sarcophagus The Good Shepherd mosaic, 5th century, Ravenna, Italy The Good Shepherd by Bernard Plockhorst (1825-1907)
This image was used in countless Bibles printed in Germany and the United States from the 1890s well into the 20th century.
Plockhorst is otherwise forgotten today. John 10:1-10 Jesus said, "Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” John 10:1-10 Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So again Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." Jesus, the Good Shepherd The passage is a metaphor, but its details are strikingly true to life. A gate keeper was someone paid by a group of Shepherd's to guard their sheep in one fold. Jesus is the shepherd/gate and God the Gatekeeper. The strangers are messianic pretenders. Notice the change As originally told by Jesus and misunderstood by the audience – Jesus is the one who enters by the gate. When Jesus explains it He is now the Gate. The consistent theme is that Jesus is the true representative of God – and his purpose is to bring life in contrast those who do not bring life. Standard Meaning? This text is sometimes used as an argument that salvation is limited to Christians [perhaps even to one denomination]. But that interpretation falls apart easily. If one reads the next paragraph. The passage is about the intention of the true and false shepherds rather than the sheep. This a condemnation of the pretenders who mislead the sheep. Some of the good things for the sheep are in the fold and some in the pasture “The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.” Jesus is truly from God! Intention Christ provides the sheep with (a) Salvation (b) freedom [Go in and out of the fold], and (c) Abundant Life Imposter Shepherds who came before Jesus are thieves and bandits. To kill Steal and destroy
