On the Fourth Sunday of Easter, the Psalm and the Gospel reading point us to the theme of Christ as the Good Shepherd. In Psalm 23, David speaks of the Lord God as a personal shepherd who guides and cares for him now and forever. This Psalm is a divine word of assurance from cradle to grave and beyond.
In the first paragraphs of John 10, Jesus focuses upon His identity as the Good Shepherd, upon laying down His life and taking it up again for the sake of His flock. In this year's selection from John 10:22-30, our Lord focuses upon the application to His followers. Key verses are John 10:27-28 (ESV) where Jesus says, "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."
The Gospel takes the poetic description of Psalm 23 further and focuses upon the rule of Jesus Christ. Christians of varied backgrounds sometimes speak of a doctrine of assurance, but sometimes they are confused about where Christian assurance lies. Some locate assurance in church structures or human ceremonies. Some locate assurance in good behavior. Some others locate assurance in emotions or feelings. While appreciating church tradition, moral conduct, and personal feelings, confessional Lutherans know that true Christian assurance or certitude must be founded elsewhere. The tangible foundation of Christian assurance is the gospel or good news expressed in Holy Scripture. And behind the written Word, our assurance is in the eternal Word made flesh, Jesus Christ, God the Son, our Lord, our Savior, our Good Shepherd!
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