Awesome - Three Presidents Calling Out a Chorus of Lies

 

I told a local physician that the doctors and pharmacists were completely wrong and knew it. I even said, "You killed elderly people by locking them in nursing homes, denying them sunshine, and using those shots."

He burst into tears acknowledging it. He even began to cry a second time.

One local person told me he took the first shot, then the "booster." I told the friend up and down it was obviously wrong. His health went downhill very quickly.

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Jubilate - Third Easter Sunday - "We should take to heart and firmly hold fast to these words and keep them in mind when in sorrow and distress, that it will not last long, then we would also have more constant joy, for as Christ and his elect had their "a little while," so you and I and everyone will have his "a little while." Pilate and Herod will not crucify you, but in the same manner as the devil used them, so he will also use your persecutors. Therefore when your trials come, you must not immediately think how you are to be delivered out of them. God will help you in due time. Only wait. It is only for a little while, he will not delay long."

 

Easy Does It long-stemmed rose bloomed all at once for a wedding.

Take It Easy rose is striking and tough, with wicked thorns to balance the tiny blooms. Avoid this one on Mother's Day.

Luther's Sermons - John 16:16-23.
Jubilate. Third Sunday after Easter

7. The first "a little while" in that he says, "A little while, and ye shall behold me no more," they could soon afterwards understand, when they saw that he was taken prisoner and put to death, but the second "a little while" in that he says: "And again a little while, and ye shall see me," that they could not understand, and we also cannot understand it. Yea and when he says: "Because I go to the Father," that they understand still less. Thus it also goes with us: although we know and hear that trials, misfortune and sorrow endure but a little while, yet we see that it constantly appears different than we believe. Then we despair and waver, and cannot be reconciled to it. We hear and we know very well that it shall not last very long, but how that result shall be accomplished we can never understand, as the disciples here cannot understand it.

8. But since they are unable to understand it why does Christ relate it to them or why is it written? In order that we should not despair but hold fast to the Word, assured that it is indeed thus and not otherwise, even though it seems to be different. And although we do at times depart from the Word, we should not therefore remain altogether away from it, but return again, for he makes good his Word. Even though man cannot believe it, God will nevertheless help him to believe it, and this he does without man's reason or free will and without man adding anything thereto. Yea, the Evangelist tells us that the disciples could not understand the words the Lord spake to them; how much less could they understand his works which followed afterwards. So very little does the free will and understanding of man know of the things pertaining to the salvation of the soul. These temporal things the free will can perceive and know, such as the cock crowing, which he can hear and his reason can also understand it; but when it is a question of understanding the work and Word of God, then human reason must give it up; it cannot make head or tail of it, although it pretends to understand a great deal about it. The glory thereof is too bright, the longer he beholds it the blinder he becomes.

9. This is presented very plainly to our minds in the disciples who, though they had been so long with the Lord, yet they did not understand what he said to them. Well, neither will we be able to learn nor to understand this until we experience it; as when we say, Such and such a thing happened to me; this I felt and thus it went with me, then I was in anxiety; but it did not last long. Then I was encompassed by this temptation and by that adversity, but God delivered me soon out of them etc.

10. We should take to heart and firmly hold fast to these words and keep them in mind when in sorrow and distress, that it will not last long, then we would also have more constant joy, for as Christ and his elect had their "a little while," so you and I and everyone will have his "a little while." Pilate and Herod will not crucify you, but in the same manner as the devil used them, so he will also use your persecutors. Therefore when your trials come, you must not immediately think how you are to be delivered out of them. God will help you in due time. Only wait. It is only for a little while, he will not delay long.

Roses And More Roses for Mother's Day

Knock Out roses are pink, red, and white.

On this Mother's Day Sunday, overdo your thanks to your mothers, grandmothers, and wives. 

 Ketchup and Mustard rose

+++

Last summer was so dry that I did not expect much this year. However, the lack of Creation boosters (rain, more bacteria, thriving earthworms) did not seem to predict 2025 results. We have plenty of rain now.

Four Knock Out bushes have a total of 120 blooms. Besides that, the David Austin roses, mostly new this season, are filled with large blooms and buds, fragrance, color, and strength. People gasp inhaling the wonderful new roses and seeing their size. A neighbor says, "They do not look real!"

One visitor, dropping off her dog at Doggy DayCare, said, "Look at those roses!"

 "Me? No, I could not have dug up a David Austin rose. Ask around."

Charlie Sue dug up a new potted David Austin Elizabeth rose, a day after it was planted. I scowled and pointed my finger at her vigorous digging results. I sat on the soil to adjust the damage and fill in the gaps. Some buds were withering but everything came back from buckets and buckets of rainwater. (I am kidded about rain-barrels until they are used with tremendous results.)

Sunday morning is when seven of the cul de sac families will get roses in party cups. I carried some already as a bonus. When Christina and I traveled to various doctors, we always brought along fresh-cut roses. In one case the patients wanted Creation Gardening and I had them in the car to give away.

People have stopped at our little cul de sac to ask about the roses taking over the front yard. That leads into Creation Gardening and Christina's order to remove the grass in the front and fill in with roses.

Here are some Creation Gardening guides for glorious flowers. (Read Sermon on the Mount):

1. Store rainwater (but not mosquitoes) and use it especially for stressed flowers but also for any sign wilting.
2. Use earthworm products to make the little critters spread the organic material bought or carried where needed. Most people will not buy earthworms for this, but I think it is worthwhile, beneficial, and fun.
3. Compost in place. I have spread an enormous amount of wood chips, cardboard, newspaper (now gone, sniff), and autumn leaves to improve the soil.
4. Prune the deadwood from the roses. John 15 is very clear about this, doubtless because Jesus is the Lord of Creation. I spent some time with a Mormon and gave him Creation Gardening. He wanted to read it.

Reformation Seminary Lecture - Acts 7:35-60

 

35 This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.

36 He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.

37 This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.

38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

39 To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt,

40 Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.

41 And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.

42 Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness?

43 Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon.

44 Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen.

45 Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David;

46 Who found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.

47 But Solomon built him an house.

48 Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,

49 Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?

50 Hath not my hand made all these things?

51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.

52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:

53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.

54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.

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.

57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,

58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

The Laughable Lutherans

Synodicals adore stealing the hip publications of others.

The Big Five Apostates - ELCA-LCMS-WELS-ELS-CLC (sic) - have one thing in common: they hate Luther with an unbridled passion. They made the 500th Anniversary a joke and did their best to avoid anything suggesting the Reformation. Their congregations have melted away, so they are left with the passive, uneducated, NIV-loving apostates who enjoy opposition to the KJV and worship at least once a month. 

Speeding downhill with no brakes and plenty of hard cider, the officials place the blame on someone else for some other reasons. That has worked for several generations, as proven by the antiquity of many Ichabod graphics.

This may be too obvious - the best approach is to teach the Scriptures as is, removing the synodicals' own merch. The executives always want newer hymnals, better (haha) Bibles, and outside music because the latest hymnals are not awful enough. Picture five kids singing something they heard over Christian radio - yep, that quality of sacred music.

We use The Lutheran Hymnal and those hymns and we study books of the Bible, chapter by chapter.

Jubilate - Rejoice - Easter 3 - "At times I remember how the Word seems neither to move me nor to apply to me. It passes by; I give no heed to it. But to this "a little while" we must give heed and pay attention, so that we may remain strong and steadfast. We will experience the same as the disciples."

Paradise Rose

Luther's Sermons - John 16:16-23.
Jubilate. Third Sunday after Easter

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.




I. What Moved Christ to Deliver This Sermon of Comfort

1. Here in this Gospel we see how the Lord comforts and imparts courage to his children whom he is about to leave behind him, when they would come in fear and distress on account of his death or of their backsliding. We also notice what induced the evangelist John to use so many words that he indeed repeats one expression four times, which according to our thinking he might have expressed in fewer words. There is first of all presented to us here the nature of the true Christian in the example of the dear apostles. In the second place, how the suffering and the resurrection of Christ are to become effective in us.

2. We also see that Christ announces to his disciples, how sorrowful they should be because he would leave them, but they are still so simpleminded and ignorant, and also so sorrowful on account of his recent conversation at the Last Supper, that they did not understand at all what he said unto them; yea, the nature of that which Christ presents to them is too great and incomprehensible for them. And it was also necessary that they should first become sorrowful before they could rejoice, even as Christ himself was an example to us that without the cross we could not enter into glory. Hence he says in Luke 24:26 to the two, with whom he journeyed to Emmaus: "Behooved it not the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into his glory?" If therefore the dear disciples were to have joy, they must first of all pass through great sorrow. But this joy came to them through the Lord Jesus; for it is decreed in the Gospel, that without Christ there is no joy; and on the other hand, where Christ is, there is no sorrow, as is plainly stated in the text. Hence when Christ was taken from them, they were in great sorrow.

3. And these words here in this Gospel Christ the Lord spake unto his disciples after the Last Supper, before he was apprehended. Let us look at them:

"A little while and ye behold me no more, and again a little while and ye shall see me, for I go to the Father."

II. THE SERMON OF COMFORT ITSELF.

A. Contents Of This Sermon.

4. "A little while," he says, "and ye behold me no more," for I shall be taken prisoner and they shall deliver me to death. But it will not last long, and during this short time ye shall be sorrowful, but only remain steadfast in me and follow me. It will soon have an end. Three days I will be in the grave; then the world will rejoice as though it had gained a victory, but ye shall be sorrowful and shall weep and lament. "And again a little while, and ye shall see me; and, Because I go to the Father." That is, on the third day I will rise again; then ye shall rejoice and your joy no man shall take from you, and this will not be a joy of only three days, like the joy of the world, but an eternal joy. Thus the Evangelist John most beautifully expresses the death and resurrection of Christ in these words, when Christ says, "A little while, and ye behold me not; and again a little while, and ye shall see me; and, Because I go to the Father."

5. An example is here given us, which we should diligently lay hold of and take to heart; if it went with us as it did in the time of the apostles, that we should be in suffering, anxiety and distress, we should also remember to be strong and to rejoice because Christ will arise again. We know that this has come to pass; but the disciples did not know how he should be raised, or what he meant by the resurrection, hence they were so sorrowful and so sad. They heard indeed that they should see him, but they did not understand what it was or how it should come to pass. Therefore they said among themselves, "What is this that he saith to us, A little while? We know not what he saith." To such an extent had sadness and sorrow overcome them, that they quite despaired, and knew not what these words meant and how they would see him again.

6. Therefore we must also feel within us this "a little while" as the dear disciples felt it, for this is written for our example and instruction, so that we may thereby be comforted and be made better. And we should use this as a familiar adage among ourselves; yea, we should feel and experience it, so that we might at all times say, God is at times near and at times he has vanished out of sight. At times I remember how the Word seems neither to move me nor to apply to me. It passes by; I give no heed to it. But to this "a little while" we must give heed and pay attention, so that we may remain strong and steadfast. We will experience the same as the disciples. We cannot do otherwise than is written here; even as the disciples were not able to do otherwise.

Today, Monday at 1:30 PM - Shepherd Sunday - Central Savings

  

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.

Monday Monday

 https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86227237809?pwd=q5PHus8qsFTM52aNFcJ6Jecxe0UMKh.1

Trying a new combo 

Habemus Papam - We Have a Pope!

 

The smoke from burning the papal votes was arranged by Disney.

Found a Key Problem on Zoom - Will Work on It Tomorrow

An audio problem made everything squirrely and I was told how to remove it.

Shepherd Sunday - 2025. The Second Sunday after Easter.

 

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86253605969?pwd=fO1LGktD0dhgFu20o4yMFgc8OcNS16.1

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.