Fourth Sunday of Easter 2008
Acts 2:42-47
Psalm 23
1 Peter 2:19-25
John 10:1-10
The other day I heard the voice of Public Radio reminding me that it was the spring pledge drive…wouldn’t you please give us money? So I called up and made my pledge at the basic membership level.
And then I heard the voice of reason telling me to get those taxes paid before the line at the post office gets to long. So Friday I wrote the big check and took the envelope to the post office.
So next I heard the voice of the weatherman telling me to grab a warm coat and an umbrella. So I did.
The voice of my doctor echoed in my head as I ate a good breakfast.
And the voice of my liturgy professor at seminary is in my mind every Sunday morning as I pick out earrings that aren’t too big or distracting.
And then the voice on the voice asked if I wanted to take out a new credit card…so I ….
didn’t.
But wow, once you add them up, we have voices all over the place telling us what to do, eat, buy, wear, how to act….
We hear echoes of people from our past. Reminders of, say, my great aunt Eunice who always told us to quit shuffling our feet and to stand up straight. Some of those voices are good, others bring negative messages with them. Old insults and criticisms.
We hear the voices of the radio announcer and tv newscaster. Voices of the employee in the next cubicle over. Voices of students shouting to one another or whispering on cell phones.
Everywhere…the voices…competing for our money and our attention and our life.
How in the world, then, can we ever hear the voice of Jesus? How do we sheep know which shepherd will lead us to the still waters and green pastures?
How can we hear Jesus call us by name and lead us into the future?
Some things never change. The messages, the voices of the religious leaders and the political leaders in Jesus day were competing for the allegiance of the people.
Promises of a better day, a better life, better access to God…follow me and my ways and I’ll promise you wealth and health care. An end to global terrorism, a chicken in every pot…or for you vegetarians in the room, tofu in every wok.
The messages that the church speaks can not only get lost in the noise of the day, but the church itself can hide the true voice of Jesus.
How often do we coat the tough words of Jesus in sugar? Roll the cost of discipleship in honey? Speak of church in business language or as a leader in the competition for attendance or success?
Do we listen to the voices that tell us that faith should give us all the answers? Or the voice of Jesus who says, follow me…we will take the walk through the shadows together…
Do we listen to the voices that say “relax, sit back and let everyone else gather in the sheep?” Or do we listen to the voice of Jesus who says “I will make you shepherds of the flock, gatherers of the sheep”
Do we listen to the voices that say “Live for today, grab all you can because you deserve a bigger share of a smaller pie.” Or do we listen to the voice of Jesus who says, “I came that you may have life, and have it abundantly.” No shoving or pushing or standing in line at 6:00 AM. There is enough for all to have enough. And then there is more. You cup will run over.
We can let the voices of scarcity and fear take over our
lives. We can believe that we need to
scratch our way into the
Or we can let the voice of Jesus seep into our souls and our weary bones. We can trust that God will provide for us, like a woman setting out a meal in the presence of the enemy, claiming us as kin. God will provide for us by giving us this community of fellow sheep and the nourishment of water, bread, wine.
And if we fall behind, or get lost, or confused by all those voices…Jesus will seek us out, gather us back, speak to us again.
How do we hear the voice of Jesus in this noisy, competitive world?
First, we take this time, as you are doing here, today…we take this time to stop the insanity, the business and the noise.
We gather here, in this place. We set aside this time for worship. To speak and, yes, to listen. We build some moments of silence into our service that we make clear our minds. And listen.
Jesus speaks. Do you hear his voice? In the hymns, prayers, scripture, in the care we show to one another and to the strangers among us?
Gathered in the sheepfold together, hear, we wait and listen. And hear Jesus bring the words each of us needs. Comfort, encouragement, strength, a little shove out of the past and into the future.
And then, as comfortable as it is here, with the rain on the roof and the warmth of friends…
We eventually leave the sheep fold, follow the voice of Jesus out into the world. Trying every day to keep our voice recognition equipment in good order by praying, reading scripture, caring for others, working for justice. Every day. Standing firm as we seek the voices of truth and abundant life.
Every day. Listening for the voices of compassion and mercy in a harsh and war-torn world.
And when we practice listening…we learn to hear Jesus voice in all sorts of unexpected places. And we even become the voice of Jesus in unexpected places.
Here…let me help you with that….Please, take mine…I’ll watch your kids for you tonight…I’m praying for you…Let’s write that letter to our Senator on behalf of the hungry, poor, uninsured.
The quiet, calm voice of Jesus wins out over the panicky, greedy, selfish voices of the world.
For Jesus is the shepherd, the gate, the guardian of our souls. Listen for the voice of Jesus calling us in, giving us strength, sending us out…
Listen for the voice of the risen Christ. The Shepherd, the Gate, the Savior of the World.
Christ is Risen!