Kyle Bestenlehner + The Fourth Sunday of Easter + 30 April 2023
As I was preparing my sermon, I received an email from Netflix: Kylee, we just added a docuseries you might like…How To Get Rich. The description of the show read: “Money holds power over us- but it doesn’t have to. Finance expert works with people across the US to help them achieve their richest lives.” There it was, right in my inbox, the reality that we all face living in a capitalist society, “money holds power over us.” Now I tried to hold back my initial judgement and watched an episode where I was pleasantly surprised that the finance expert was coaching people to be better stewards of the budget they had and encouraged them to, dare I say, live abundantly.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus is using the metaphor of a sheepfold and shepherd to explain that he is not only the shepherd that cares for us, but is also the gate to which we must go through to receive eternal and abundant life. I was struck by the end, when Jesus declares, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”[1] Who or what is this thief? What does it mean to have abundant life?
In today’s world we think of abundance as material wealth; always pining after the next purchase or the next big life accomplishment that will make us happy. The Prosperity Gospel is a belief system within Christianity that started in America. It emphasizes material wealth and financial success as evidence of God's favor and blessing. It teaches that if a person has enough faith, they can access God's abundance and receive material blessings such as money, health, and success. The Prosperity Gospel also suggests that poverty and hardship are a result of lack of faith or sin, and that through prayer, positive thinking and giving extra tithing; believers can overcome these obstacles and achieve financial success.
If you have ever been taught this or made to feel your health or financial hardships were due to a lack of faith, I am sorry.
If we want to know what the abundant life God has in mind for us is like, we need not look further than Psalm 23. Like Jesus in John’s gospel, this poem is using the metaphor of a shepherd and his sheep. Psalm 23 expresses the idea that God cares for and protects his people, providing them with everything they need. It speaks of the comfort and security that comes solely from being in God's presence. Even in the midst of difficulty and danger, when we are in the “valley of the shadow of death,” we are promised that God will be with us. I do not believe that God calls us to suffer, but we are not promised a life without pain and hardship. Because we have sin in the world there is pain, but Christ came to concur death and free us from the burdens of our sins and grant us peace and joy, that we may live an abundant life.
That thief that comes only to steal and kill and destroy...that’s Sin. Sin happens when we focus on our own material gain at the expense of our neighbors. When we covet what others possess, sin steals our joy. Don’t let anything or anyone steal your joy. Happiness is fleeting. It’s something that comes and goes depending on the daily trials of life, but joy…joy is eternal. Joy is what we cling to even in the lowest valley, even in the shadow of death itself, because we know our resurrected Lord is with us. Joy comes from “the peace from God that surpasses all understanding.”[2] Joy is the gift of Easter; the promise of the resurrected Lord. “The risen Christ opens the way to abundant life. He anoints our heads with oil and guides us beside the still waters of our baptism. Each Sunday he spreads a feast before us and we are sent forth to be signs of the resurrection and extend God’s peace and joy to all creation.”[3]
Psalm 23 also has a deeply personal meaning for me. The psalm is often read at funerals or times of mourning, as it provides comfort and hope to those who are grieving. When I was 8 years old, my father died and I decided I wanted to speak at his funeral. I shared with those in attendance how much he meant to me and finished with a reading of the 23rd Psalm. For me, it’s a passage that holds deep spiritual significance to me because it comes up at times of transition in my life. It was read at the first chapel service I attended at seminary and instantly made me feel like I was right where I was supposed to be. And today, on Good Shepard Sunday, low and behold; I get the opportunity to preach on Psalm 23; at another point of transition. Next weekend will be my last weekend with you all. Bitter, Sweet…but today I get another reminder of God “guiding me along right pathways.” I am right where I am supposed to be. God is good folks!
So as I finish up my time with you Holy Trinity, I want to take the time to thank you and share with you what I have learned. Thank you for showing me what true welcome is. You welcome new seminary students each year with open arms just as you strive to welcome your neighbors and newcomers. I see you continuing to broaden that welcome as you open your minds and hearts to those who are different than you, but are no less made in the image of God. Thank you for sharing with me your love of liturgy, ritual, singing and music, and building up young leaders. Thank you for showing me that silence can be just as powerful as words. And thank you for giving me a safe place to build my confidence as a ministerial leader.
Holy Trinity (in this time of transition, as you continue your call process of finding a new pastor for this congregation) as you continue to grow and reimagine what the future holds for you and God’s mission here in this community and space, know that the Good Shepherd will help guide you there….will lead you to abundant life.
[1] John 10: 10
[2] Philippians 4:7
[3] Sundays and Seasons Introduction to the Fourth Sunday in Easter