A dead shepherd can’t feed his sheep. He can’t lead his sheep, and he cannot protect his sheep. Without a living shepherd, the sheep scatter and are vulnerable. A dead shepherd is of no value to living sheep.
Last weekend, our church and Christians across the globe remembered our Lord’s Death on Good Friday and celebrated our Lord’s resurrection from the dead on Easter Sunday. Sunday was a jubilant day filled with Bible reading, hymn singing, and the pronouncement, “He is risen!” And the significance of the resurrection for Christians must continue every day following Easter because a dead shepherd is of no value to living sheep.
But wait a minute, what about what Jesus said? “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” And we thank our Lord for giving his life for us. We cannot fully express the debt we owe to our Lord by giving his life a ransom for many. In his death our Lord demonstrated that he came to serve and not to be served. We are humbled by the bloodied mass on Calvary’s cross that won our redemption. But the cross is not the end, and a dead shepherd is of no value to living sheep.
When our Lord and his disciples gathered for the final meal where he established the New Covenant (Matthew 26:17-29), Jesus told his followers what was going to happen in the next few hours. In chilling words, he told the disciples of their coming betrayal of him. Jesus quoted Zechariah 13:7, “I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.” That’s exactly what happened. Without a living shepherd, the sheep have no idea how to survive. They run in fear and expose themselves to every predator.
It is the next words from Jesus that require focus – “But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee” (Matthew 27:32). The disciples will scatter upon his death but will gather to him upon his resurrection.
Do you remember the words of the angel at the empty tomb? Confused followers see the place where the body of Jesus should be. The burial shroud is there, but where are the Lord’s remains? None of this makes any sense. To the hurting, scattered, and defenseless the angel at the tomb says,
“Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you” (Mark 16:6-7).
A dead shepherd is good for the moment. When he lays down his life for the sheep, he sacrifices himself to secure the life of the sheep in that instance, but what about the next moment, the next event, and the next circumstance? Who will care for the sheep when those come? That requires a living shepherd.
Our Lord’s resurrection from the dead confirms for Christians his ongoing leadership, protection, and provision. The Christian says, “The Lord is my shepherd!” (Psalm 23:1).
What shelter do you need today? Your living shepherd will cover you. What direction do you need today? Your living shepherd will guide you. What necessity do you lack? Your living shepherd will deliver it to you. Our Lord is not a dead shepherd who acted once but a living shepherd who acts daily for all his sheep.
Take great comfort, Christians, your shepherd lives! Of himself he says, “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death” (Revelation 1:18).
Today, tomorrow, next week, next month, and next year will bring difficulty for you. This is the reality of living in a sin-filled and broken world, but you will not face this alone. You belong to the Great Shepherd’s flock. He knows all his sheep. He knows you, and he will act for and toward you.
Our shepherd laid down his life for us, and our shepherd lives again. Just as we rejoiced on Easter Sunday, let’s rejoice each day that our shepherd lives.
As always, I welcome your comments and any suggestions you might have for an upcoming Lunchtime Musing.
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Mike VerWay
Pastor for Preaching & Vision