Good for Whom? John 10:11-18.
Easter 4, Series B, April 29, 2012 Pr. Mark Maunula, Trinity Lutheran Church, Isle, MN The Lord is Risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! The text is the Gospel reading. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. This is the text. Dear brothers and sisters in Christ and Vikings Fans. The latest resurrection of the debate for a new Vikings stadiums is again upon us. The billion dollar plan found life again as the Senate Tax Committee narrowly approved the Viking stadium bill. Some would like to see the debate stay dead. Others are rejoicing in its resurrection. In fact, some fans gathered to keep vigil at the capital this weekend. The pros, the cons, the cost, the need have all been debated before. "It's not just a Vikings stadium," said one fan. "Sure the Vikings will use it and be the primary tenant, but high schools and colleges will be able to use this. We'll be able to bring in events from outside the state, such as the NCAA Final Four and the Super Bowl." The debate is not whether a new Vikings stadium is good. I can most assuredly say that a new Vikings stadium is good. The real question is: who is it good for? The fans, the owners, the city of Minneapolis, the state. Obviously, there is a benefit for all, but what are the right proportions in this mix? When we can answer that question, then we can determine who should pay for it and how? Then we will know for whom it is truly good. The question of goodness and for whom is it good is also a topic of the text this day. Jesus says, "I am the good shepherd." That is a blanket statement. We can most assuredly say Jesus is the good shepherd. But for whom is He good? The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. So the sheep are benefitted-but what is their true benefit? In the case of the Vikings stadium, it's easy for the owners to say that the state will benefit, but how much will the state benefit and how much will the owners benefit? Are they simply proposing this plan out of the goodness of their hearts or for financial reasons? So also with Christ, how are the sheep benefitted and what will the shepherd get out of the whole arrangement? And what are the costs involved and where is the needs analysis? In terms of need, the sheep are in need. They are in need of a good shepherd. They have had hired hands who have watched over them, but the hired hand is not the shepherd. When the hired hand sees the wolf coming, he leaves the flock and flees. The wolf snatches the sheep and scatters them. The hired hand cares nothing for the sheep. The need is real. The dangers are apparent. The cost is deadly for the sheep. But John 10 gives only a portion of the needs. Psalm 23 adds more to the need. The sheep are in want of green pastures, still waters, restoration of their souls, paths of righteousness, protection in the valley of the shadow of death, deliverance from all evil, a rod and staff to comfort them, the anointing of the head with oil, of goodness and mercy. Who will supply all these needs? We are the sheep in need of the Good Shepherd. Our foolishness has only gotten us into trouble. We need to know the voice of the Good Shepherd. We need to understand that there are many competing voices in the world and sadly there are even many competing voices in the church. In the world, we are more directly being led away from the lush green grass of God's Word-to mirages in the desert. They look good, but will supply none of our needs. Sadly, in the church on a whole, we are also being called away from the truths of God's Word so that we begin to doubt thinking, "Did God really say?" We are led to the slippery slope so that we are caused to doubt right and wrong. And that slippery slope can also quickly lead us away from God and His Word and lead us to destruction. God would have us taught as His Word says. He instructs His undershepherds to speak His Word of truth, but hirelings who care nothing for the flock are tempted to give up the clear teaching of God's Word. Is abortion wrong? Yes. But what about in this case or in that. we are asked. We are caused to doubt the sanctity of human life that God gives. And this message isn't just going on in the world, but sadly, within churches which call themselves Christian. Is creation true and did God create the world in six days? Yes. But what if we just interpret days to mean millions of years. Churches who call themselves Christian say that is acceptable. But God's Word speaks of a day as evening and morning-one solar day. And what about baptism? Some churches do it this way and others do it that way. Can we baptize without immersing a person? Yes. Because what creates the baptism is not the water, but the Word of God attached to it. It is the Word that truly baptizes and the water is a symbol of that washing. Can only men be pastors? Yes. If you have an issue with that you need to take it up with God, because that is what He says in His Word. But God's Word doesn't say that women are unsuitable or incapable of doing the job. In fact, we could argue from a human perspective that women have certain characteristics that better suit them for the task. Yet, God's Word speaks of headship and authority-a headship not based on glory and a crown, but a headship of servanthood and the cross. Is homosexuality wrong? Yes. But there are churches that call themselves Christian which say the opposite. And yet, because homosexuality is wrong, does that give us the right to put down others and call them names? No. All these issues need to be addressed-but also need to be addressed in a good, right and salutary manner. If we are going to call someone names and put them down for a certain sin, then we should all be called names and put down because of our own sins. None of us is righteous, no not one. Every single person here this morning must personally say and confess, "I am a poor, miserable sinner." That is our condition from birth and that is the result of how we have lived our lives. We have a real need and the cost has been assessed. The wages of sin is death. But the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who freely gives up His life for us. When someone offers us something for free in this world, we are usually tempted to think there must be some sort of catch. Yet, Jesus, in His death for us, gets no benefit from His Work. He doesn't get life or heaven or salvation because these are things He already possesses. In fact, these are the things He will give up for us. Jesus is the Good Shepherd. The cost of His life, He willingly paid. The death of the only begotten Son of God-perfect God and perfect man-this is for our good. It is good for us sinners gathered here this morning. When someone tells us that the new Viking stadium is good-I can agree with that. But is it for my good? That is a different question. Jesus is the Good Shepherd. This is true. Is He good for you and me? Absolutely! And thus, we have reason to celebrate again the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The costly plan of our salvation was not funded with silver or gold, but rather with His Holy precious blood and innocent suffering and death. His plan found life again as His heavenly Father overwhelmingly accepted His payment for our sins and raised Him from the dead. Some were hoping that He would just stay down and dead. Others-many others-would rejoice in His resurrection. In fact, many are keeping watch, keeping vigil for His second coming. The pros, the cons, the cost, the need have all been debated before. But Jesus did what was asked of Him by His Father. Jesus' life and death and resurrection will bring a whole host into heaven to celebrate His eternal victory. Jesus is the Good Shepherd. This goodness is for me and you. In Jesus' name. Amen. The peace of God that surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
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