Easter 4a 2026; April 26
Ps. 23, 1 Peter 2:19- 25; John 10: 1-10 Jack Hardaway
BANDITS, THIEVES, AND FALSE SHEPHERDS
The secret society of devious deviousness, a dastardly association of bandits, thieves and false shepherds gathered in their secret lair for some diabolical scheming about how to bust into the sheep fold and steel some sheep.
They reviewed previous attempts like trying to distract the good shepherd and sneak a wolf in sheep’s clothing into the fold. But unfortunately there was a wardrobe malfunction and the wolf met with an unfortunate demise.
Then there was the time the bandits got hold of an old black 1977 Pontiac trans-am and jumped the car up and into the fold. Unfortunately it broke an axle and the bandits had to make a run for it, luckily The Good Shepherd was laughing so hard that they got away.
The thieves tried to parachute in but a wind came along and carried them away. The Good Shepherd fell over laughing and waving.
This year they had the perfect plan, using AI and drones. What could possibly go wrong?
The Good Shepherd. The Guardian of our souls.
The fourth Sunday of Easter is always Good Shepherd Sunday, we hear portions of John chapter 10, the 23rd psalm, and today the shepherd and guardian passage from 1 Peter.
The Good Shepherd lays down his life for his sheep, and leads them into life, Easter themes.
There is also a theme of contrast and judgement with that vision of God as the Good Shepherd. The thieves and bandits and strangers come to steal, and kill and destroy. The Good Shepherd in comparison gives abundant life, whose voice is recognized and who knows our name, our true name.
And Jesus is that shepherd.
Jesus is the example of true leadership, the example of God’s nature and character.
The one who is true, who gives himself so that we may live.
As opposed to the false shepherds who lie, who prey upon the vulnerable and the poor, who try to break into the sheep fold.
The shepherd who gives, and leads, who protects and cares for the sheep.
The one whom we follow and do likewise.
It is a strange and mysterious project that we are being led into.
We announce the judgement of the Good Shepherd upon all who prey upon the vulnerable and the poor, we are to be prophetic in that way, calling the abuse of power into account, but we can’t be judgmental because we are no better ourselves, the judgment where I have to forsake all judgement.
Prophetic without being judgmental, announcing the judgment without passing judgement. There it is. Faith is a conundrum.
Calling the world into life and away from predation, the way of the Good Shepherd.
We point to the shepherd who is good by walking in his way.
I think it comes with the gift of levity, in a world that is grave and heavy with the pointing of the finger, we are set free by the deep humor of humility, the burden is light, the yoke is easy.
Which is part of my fun with the secret society of devious deviousness, the thieves who ultimately have their hearts stolen by the Lord who is love.
We are all slap stick con artists slowly coming around to the way of the shepherd who is good.
Walk in the way.