Fourth Easter

              April 29, 2007

     Two fellows were on a hunting trip and came across a big deep hole in the ground.  One says, “Wow!  That looks deep.”

     “Sure does.  Toss a few pebbles in there and see how deep it is,” says the companion.

     They each pick up a few gravels and throw them in and wait.  No noise, nothing.

     “Gee.  That really is deep.  Here, throw one of these great big rocks down there.  That should make a noise,” says the first fellow.

     They pick up a couple football-size rocks and toss them into the hole and wait.  And wait.  Nothing.

     They look at each other in amazement.  One gets a determined look on his face and says, “Hey…over here in the weeds, there’s a railroad tie.  Help me carry it over here.  When we toss that sucker in, it’s GOTTA make some noise.”

     The two men drag the heavy tie over to the hole and heave it in.  Not a sound comes from the hole.

     Suddenly, out of the nearby woods, a sheep appears, running like the wind.  It rushes toward the two men, and then right past them, running as fast as its legs will carry it.  Suddenly it leaps in the air and into the hole.

     The two hunters are astonished with what they’ve just seen.  Then out of the woods comes a farmer who spots the men and ambles over.  “Any luck finding that trophy buck?” 

     The men shake their heads.

     “Oh, by the way,” the farmer says, “You haven’t seen my favorite sheep out here, have you?”

     “You bet we did,” the hunters say in unison.  “Craziest thing we ever saw!  It came running like crazy and just jumped into this hole.”

     “Nah,” says the farmer, “that couldn’t have been my sheep.  My sheep was chained to a railroad tie.”

     We would lose sheep for sillier reasons on occasion, back when I was a sheep farmer.  We never chained a sheep to a railroad tie, however.

      We have certainly been having some mixed up weather patterns over the late winter and early spring in this part of God’s creation.  There were quite a few days when Shirley and I had our evening meal out on the screened porch during January and early February.  Then we had the cold snap and became fearful that the trees and flowers that had begun to bloom would be frozen and spring would be muted.  Most of April was too cold to eat out and we had the gas fireplace lit every evening.  When spring finally arrived it has been spectacular.  First the crocuses, then the forsythia, and the dogwood, redbud, and other flowering trees, azaleas, tulips, and every other blooming plant seems to have blossomed and remained longer than usual.  It really does look like a magical place around here.  The drab, grey of winter has been transformed in earthly rebirth. 

     Winter can be long and trying in these mountains.  We glance out the window watching for the first crocus, the first sign of green.  Winter does affect the spirit as well as the body.  At least, that’s true for me.  In the natural world, winter always gives way to spring, but how can we change seasons spiritually?  That can be the question sometimes when a Good Friday comes in the Easter season, as it did on April 16, 2007. 

     The Gospel for this Fourth Sunday of Easter, John 10:22-30, provides some details about people experiencing both physical and spiritual winter.  They came looking for Jesus one day as he walked in the temple in the Portico of Solomon.  It was December, the Celebration of Hanukkah, the Feast of the Dedication of the Temple.  These folks we searching for the Messiah, but they were not sure they had found him, after all the centuries of waiting, in the person of a carpenter’s son, in a man named Jesus.  They complained that he was holding back on them.  They were tired of the long spiritual winter and couldn’t take the suspense any longer.  They demanded, “If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” 

     Is that too much to ask of God, when we are willing to commit ourselves to him?  “Tell us plainly,” is often the cry of those experiencing a spiritual winter.  They wanted a sign, some concrete, tangible proof that what they had heard about him was true.  For what sign, what proof are we looking? 

     Jesus answer to those seekers is the same answer he gives to us.  “I have told you,” he states plainly.  “I have given you signs and proof.”  Still they did not believe, just as many today still do not believe.  The problem, of course, was in them, in us, and not in him.  That is always the case.  Many seek God in a ritual, a geographic “holy of holies,” a church, temple, synagogue, mosque, or shrine.  God has come in the person of Jesus.

     So, what has he done that people could have seen and known what he was, and is, in fact who he said he was?  He said, “My sheep hear my voice.  I know them, and they follow me.”  In order to become one of his sheep, one must hear this voice.  Eyes to see and ears to hear are the characterizing features of the people of faith.  Learning to hear his voice means we come to trust his guidance, while others may say, “Tell us plainly.”  Those clear eyes that see and keen ears that hear are always behind the great Easter proclamation, “Alleluia.  Christ is risen.  The Lord is risen indeed.  Alleluia.”

     Faith arises in our response to the movement of God’s Holy Spirit within us.  Some call that coincidence, but practicing to hear his voice very often leads to “God incidents.”  Hearing clearly is meant to lead to obedience.  When we hear his voice but choose to continue on in the path that leads us from his presence we should not be too surprised and shocked to eventually find ourselves lost and alone.

     Remember that part of this amazing story is that when we hear his voice, he recognizes us as one of his own.  He is the Good Shepherd who comes looking for the lost and tired and frightened sheep who took a wrong turn, or got distracted along the journey, or who chose to ignore his gentle nudging and steady calling.  This one called Jesus the Christ is no ordinary shepherd.  He assures us of the Father’s protection, even unto eternal life.  Thieves, wolves, coyotes, and stray dogs; poison weeds, stagnant water, and rushing streams are not able to take the sheep away from the Father.  Whatever we fear most can be handed over to the Father’s care and protection.

     If your spirit is still in the middle of winter, it is possible to experience a burst of new life that spiritual springtime brings.  The new life Jesus promised begins now and continues forever.  Listen for the voice of the Good Shepherd and make the only response he ever wants; that is, follow him.  He and he alone can lead us from winter to spring.  Following the Good Shepherd adds color to our lives.  Blooms and blossoms, rare and unexpected fruit, and new shades of green appear in places we thought dead and barren.  Renewed strength and vitality is provided for the continuing journey.

     Winter is over.  Spring has come!  Don’t be chained to a past that only pulls you down a hole.  Say “Yes!” to the Good Shepherd and enjoy this new life.  Amen.