The Good Shepherd (John 10:11-18)
Sermon for Centenary UMC (Lebanon) on April 21, 2024 Warner Sallman's "Good Shepherd" [Title Slide] The Good Shepherd (John 10:11-18) [Slide] On screen is Warner Sallman’s Good Shepherd painting. First thing I see is Jesus holding a lamb. Jesus cradles the lamb tenderly. The lamb is looking right into Jesus’ eyes, trusting him to care for their needs. Notice the mother of the lamb looking up at her young in Jesus’ arm. She too is trusting the Good Shepherd with her child. In the background, sheep are lying peacefully along a creek of cool running water. He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. (Psa 23:2-3a) Beyond we see a valley cast in shade. You’ll see a tree over Jesus’ left shoulder bent over and under stress. It’s the valley of the shadow of death. Over Jesus’ right shoulder, we see the mouth of a cave, symbolically pointing to the empty tomb. Death could not hold him! Instead, Jesu