Dear Christian friends:

In Psalm 23:1 we say, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." Which means simply that if we believe in Jesus Christ, the good Shepherd, and follow His leading we will have all that we need for our life here on earth. We will not stray away on the wrong way of sin.

Our sermon text today on this Good Shepherd Sunday tells us that Jesus has left us a good example and that we should follow His steps like sheep.

In this world full of so much sin and false, wrong ideas we need a Good Shepherd to lead us so that we do not stray away and become lost. So let us attend to our text and consider the theme:


Of course, Jesus left us many good examples by His perfect wonderful life. Pity for the sick and needy; love for people; love for God, teaching, mission, personal soul winning and many more. Dr. William Dallmann has written a whole book of thirty-seven sermons under the general theme of "Follow Jesus."

But today our text chiefly urges us to follow Jesus in Suffering. Our text says, "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps." (1 Peter 2:21)

During Lent and Holy Week we saw again how Jesus suffered many wrongs from sinful people. He did not wrong Himself. He is the most perfect Man of anyone on earth. Yet, sinners mocked and persecuted Him and falsely accused Him and crucified Him. (1 Peter 2:22-23)

This will also happen to all who believe in Jesus and follow in His steps. The proud and vain world can't stand a humble good Christian. Our witnessing, our good works and words are an offense to them. Just like Jesus' good, true, words and deeds displeased the Pharisees and rulers. Liars can't stand those who tell the truth. Joseph and his ten brothers. Elmer ridiculed for tithing. Vic at Great Falls school was mocked and called the preacher.

So you, if you follow in the steps of Jesus, the Good Shepherd you will displease many sinners and suffer for it. But Peter says here too that God has called you. That you should expect it and not be surprised when it happens.

Now what should urge us to suffer such things? The motive is our love for Jesus who first loved us and bore our sins in His body on the cross. "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls." (1 Peter 21:24-25)

Our praise and thanks to Jesus the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for us unworthy sinners. "We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:6)

One man looking at a picture of Jesus crucified in an art museum said: "Oh I love Him, the dear, dear Savior." You, too, when you look at a picture of Jesus the good Shepherd carrying a lamb in his arms and you remember that lamb was lost and He risked His life to find it. And you see in His eyes and face His wonderful love and mercy for the lamb and you know that lamb is you, don't you love Him too? Do you not say with that man in the art museum: "Oh, I love Him, the dear, dear Savior."

Your love for Jesus the Good Shepherd should help you to stop sinning and suffer many wrongs as you follow Jesus in His steps.

Amen.