“The Resurrected Jesus Christ Is Both the Lamb and the Shepherd”
In the name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Spirit.
[Amen.]
Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, and from our
resurrected Lord and Savior, the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. [Amen.]
“The King of love my shepherd is,
Whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am His
And He is mine forever.”
(Lutheran Service Book, © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO.
709:1)
Epistle Reading............................................. Revelation
7:9-17 (esp. 9-10, 14bc, 17)
9After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could
number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages,
standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with
palm branches in their hands, 10and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation
belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 14bcAnd he
said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They
have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 17For
the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will
guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear
from their eyes.
Prologue: The shepherd-sheep motif occupies a key position in
Holy Scripture. Many prominent Old Testament people were shepherds among
whom were Abel (the son of Adam and Eve whose brother Cain killed him),
Abraham, Moses, the sons of Jacob (Yahweh later renamed him Israel), and
King David to name just a few of the more well-known ones. It’s also
beneficial to note at this point that God’s servants whom He sends today to
spiritually feed, lead, and protect His children gathered together in local
congregations are referred to as “shepherd” in our Lutheran tradition, …
well, actually “pastor” which means “shepherd.” That’s why it’s the common
practice also in our Lutheran tradition to refer to the spiritual leaders as
“Pastor (followed by their Last Name)” rather than just calling them by
their name. Doing so communicates a special meaningful relationship and
realization that your pastors are sincerely concerned for and dedicated to
the spiritual feeding, leading, and protecting of God’s sheep and lambs in
this congregational sheepfold. In fact, in today’s First Reading Saint Paul
admonished us who are spiritual caretakers to “Pay careful attention to
yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you
overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own
blood.” (Acts 20:28 ESV)
Now, the word “sheep,” on the one hand, commonly refers to
Christians in general and perhaps older ones in particular. “Lambs,” on the
other hand, generally refers to younger Christians.
Of course, the most prominent and important Lamb in the Bible is
none other than Jesus Himself. His cousin John the Baptizer made that
notably clear when, upon seeing Jesus coming toward him, he declared,
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (St John
1:29 ESV) However, Jesus referred to Himself not merely as “Shepherd” but
“the Good Shepherd” as in today’s Introit antiphon He told His disciples, “I
am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, and I lay down my
life for the sheep.” (St John 10:14, 15b ESV)
Well, today’s text (as we continue our overview of the book of
Revelation during this 50-day Easter Season in which we joyfully declare,
“Alleluia! Christ is risen!” “He is risen indeed! Alleluia!” is especially
unique in that it contains both “Lamb” and “Shepherd” designations for Jesus
in one location. In doing so, the author Saint John is reminding us and
emphasizing that …
“The Resurrected Jesus Christ Is Both the Lamb and the Shepherd.”
To more fully understand and grasp what this means we must more
fully understand and grasp the role and function of shepherds and the
personality of sheep. Shepherds are responsible for and devoted to feeding,
leading, and protecting their sheep. Sheep are self-seeking self-satisfying
animals with little or no regard for their surroundings and the potential
danger of predators. As such, they often stray from the sheepfold and need
to be safeguarded and rescued so that they don’t become a yummy meal for a
hungry stalker. Isaiah identified and made that connection to us when he
wrote, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his
own way … .” (Isa 53:6 ESV)
In light of that, the message of Psalm 23 (arguably the most
famous and familiar of all 150 Psalms) becomes ever more meaningful, “The
Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green
pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads
me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are
with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Ps 23:1-4 ESV)
In addition, sheep (and lambs) have an uncanny ability to
recognize the voice of their shepherd. In light of that, what Jesus said in
today’s Gospel Reading gives us added comfort and security, “My sheep hear
my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life,
and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My
Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to
snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (St John
10:27-30 ESV) Also, the benediction at the end of the book of Hebrews
reinforces that relationship, “Now may the God of peace who brought again
from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood
of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his
will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus
Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Heb 13:20-21 ESV)
It’s in this context that I once again explain why Pastor Marks
and I lead the liturgy, read the Bible Readings, and present the Children’s
Talk in the public worship services instead of someone else doing one or
more of those tasks. Sheep and lambs don’t feed, lead, and protect fellow
sheep and lambs. Shepherds feed, lead, and protect the sheep and lambs. As
the shepherds of this local congregation of sheep and lambs, Pastor Marks
and I have the responsibility and are authorized by the divine call you
extended to us to feed, lead, and protect you, the sheep and lambs. We take
that shepherding task very seriously and, therefore, personally feed, lead,
and protect you sheep and lambs by leading the liturgy, reading the Bible
Readings, and presenting the Children’s Talk (in general planning,
preparing, and presenting worship in the public settings of our
congregation) … among all the other shepherding tasks that we daily do.
Ironically, the very lambs which shepherds fed, led, and protected
in Old Testament times were God’s preferred sin-sacrifice-animal-of-choice.
In view of that relationship and ironic reality it’s no wonder that …
I. God Alone Deserves and Receives the Highest and Holiest Accolades.
(11-12)
11And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders
and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the
throne and worshiped God, 12saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom
and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and
ever! Amen.”
Here’s some more introductory information about The Book of
Revelation: “In 1890, artist Vincent van Gogh wrote his sister Wilhelmina
that he would like to ‘paint portraits that become a revelation.’ The
images he created startled and even repulsed those who first viewed them.
For years, Van Gogh’s work collected dust. During his life, he sold only
one painting! He was regarded as an utter failure. Yet today his works
sell for millions of dollars because no one painted like Van Gogh. Through
intensely personal qualities, his works revealed this long-hidden artist.
“The last Book of the Bible also startled and repulsed people who first
read it. Whereas congregations immediately and universally accepted the
Gospels as genuine portraits of Jesus, Christians needed time to see the
value of Revelation. Some congregations in the Early Church would not
include Revelation in their list of books to read during worship, even
though John wrote Revelation for that specific purpose. Yet in time,
Christians embraced this intense and dramatic portrait—a personal
revelation—of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (The Lutheran Study Bible. Edward A.
Engelbrecht, General Editor. Copyright © 2009 Concordia Publishing House,
St. Louis, MO. Page 2193.)
So, why does God—the one true triune God—alone deserve and receive
the highest and holiest accolades? Simply because He alone is the one true
triune God. All other so-called gods (lower case “g”) are bogus and, in
fact, powerless and meaningless.
Only the one true triune God, who revealed Himself in the person
and work of Jesus Christ, to which the name “Yahweh” that occurred over
5,000 times in the Old Testament referred, is “Worthy … to receive power and
wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” And, in
fact, to Him alone “be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and
ever!” (Rev 5:12-13 ESV) as we read and heard in last Sunday’s Epistle
Reading.
After all, this is the all-powerful Creator-God, who created all
things in the heavens and on the earth. He alone is the all-powerful
Redeemer-God, who suffered, died, and rose from the dead on the third day in
decisive victory over sin, Satan, and death itself. As Pastor Marks and I
so often remind you, the death that God died in the person of Jesus Christ
is our death and his resurrection-victory is our resurrection-victory
through Holy Baptism. In addition, He constantly assures and reassures us
of that blessed reality when we read and hear His Holy Word, reflect upon
Holy Baptism, take to heart the comforting declaration of Holy Absolution,
and properly partake of Christ’s real body and blood in Holy Communion.
Remember that, as I stated in my sermon two weeks ago, “When
reading Revelation’s rich symbolism … we must look at the whole picture and
not press the details. The whole picture describes an awesome gathering of
millions of voices of the faith from earth and heaven. The main object of
their attention is the one on the throne and the Lamb. Ours must be too.”
It’s certainly noteworthy that “First, this new group of
worshipers says ‘Amen’ (verse 12) to the praise the saints have raised to
God. Then they ascribe seven different words of praise to the eternal God.”
Why? Simply because “The believers are praising God for all the
things that he has performed to bring them salvation. Praise never gives
God anything. When … believers say praise ‘be to our God,’ they acknowledge
that these things already belong to him.” (Wayne D. Mueller in People’s
Bible Commentary: Revelation. Copyright © 1997 Concordia Publishing House,
St. Louis, MO. Pages 88f.)
Further, “It is worth emphasizing that it is the angels who sing
to their God and Creator this hymn of praise [in] ([chapter] 7: [verse] 12).
This great Te Deum, begun in [chapter] 4: [verse] 8 by the four winged
creatures, has stanzas throughout Revelation. The angels praise God and the
Lamb for the salvation of human beings; they praise God for rescuing a
fallen humanity through his Son, who is also their Lord. The angels praise
God for his every action, but in particular they praise him for the
redemption of his people in Christ as the most important action since his
creation of all life.” (Louis A. Brighton in Concordia Popular Commentary:
Revelation. Copyright © 2009 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO.
Page 135.)
That praise certainly also responds to the fact that …
II. God Alone Will Provide Eternal Glory to His Saints. (13-14a, 15-16)
13Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in
white robes, and from where have they come?” 14I said to him, “Sir, you
know.” And he said to me, … 15“Therefore they are before the throne of God,
and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne
will shelter them with his presence. 16They shall hunger no more, neither
thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat.”
We continue struggling in this sin-filled, sin-infested world that
seems to be accelerating in its downward spiral to self-destruction. Since
our annual formal joyful celebration of the fact that “Alleluia! Christ is
risen!” “He is risen indeed! Alleluia!” our American home soil has been
plagued with the Boston Marathon tragedy; a public suicide on the Texas
Motor Speedway infield following a recent major race; continued murder of
unborn babies; and the fertilizer plant explosion in the city of West,
Texas. In the face of those gruesome realities and so much more junk that
seems to dominate our daily news we could easily become discouraged,
downcast, distraught, and utterly depressed.
However, God reminds us in today’s sermon text “of the final,
complete, and perfect fulfillment of Christ’s promises in [Saint] Matt[hew]
[chapter] 5: [verse] 6 and [Saint] John [chapter] 6: [verse] 35. In heaven
the saints ‘shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more’ (Rev. 7:16a),
neither physically nor spiritually. Hunger and thirst, and the burning
light of the sun, and scorching, painful heat (Rev. 7:16b), represent the
various trials and afflictions which the children of God suffer on earth
because of their faith. All together, they are ‘the great tribulation’ of
Rev[elation] [chapter] 7: [verse] 14. These things are forever past for the
saints in heaven.”
In fact, as if that’s all not wonderful enough, “The saints in
glory, under the direct, personal, loving care of the Son of God, are free
from every evil. When God wipes tears away, they are wiped away forever.
Nor does He wipe only some tears away from the eyes of the saints, but ‘all
tears!’” (Luther Poellot in Concordia Classic Commentary Series: Revelation.
Copyright © 1962 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO. Pages 113f.)
At the same time, don’t be deceived into some false notion of an
unrealistically optimistic state of things in this present life. “God does
not promise here or anywhere that he will spare believers the anguish of the
last days. Rather, Jesus warned, ‘In this world you will have trouble’
(John 16:33). Paul and Barnabas encouraged the early Christians to ‘remain
true to the faith,’ … with the reminder, ‘We must go through many hardships
to enter the kingdom of God’ (Acts 14:22).” (Wayne D. Mueller. Page 90.)
And, our trustworthy Yahweh promised us through His Old Testament
servant Joshua, “… I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake
you.” (Josh 1:5 ESV) And, our resurrected Savior comforted His disciples
and us with His personal promise, “… I am with you always, to the end of the
age.” (St Matt 28:20 ESV)
In conclusion, therefore, let’s all of us always keep in our minds
and hearts the message of the Easter season Gradual, “Christ has risen from
the dead. [God the Father] has crowned him with glory and honor, He has
given him dominion over the works of his hands; he has put all things under
his feet.” (adapt. from St Matt 28:7; Heb 2:7; Ps 8:6 ESV) Let’s do so
always remembering and continually celebrating that …
“The Resurrected Jesus Christ Is Both the Lamb and the Shepherd.”
As we do so, let’s ever pray today’s Collect, “Almighty God,
merciful Father, since You have wakened from death the Shepherd of Your
sheep, grant us Your Holy Spirit that when we hear the voice of our Shepherd
we may know Him who calls us each by name and follow where He leads.” Let’s
do so, always recalling that …
I. God Alone Deserves and Receives the Highest and Holiest Accolades.
(11-12)
and …
II. God Alone Will Provide Eternal Glory to His Saints. (13-14a, 15-16)
“Alleluia! Christ is risen!” “He is risen indeed! Alleluia!”
God grant it all for the sake of Jesus Christ, His resurrected
humble Son, our holy Savior. [Amen.]
In the name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Spirit.
[Amen.]
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