Wednesday of Judica
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It is very common today to hear people claim that all religions are basically the same. “God is known by many different names, but he is the same God, nevertheless. Jews, Christians, and Muslims, all worship the same God.” If you ever find yourself in a conversation like this with someone who claims to worship our God, show them a picture of Jesus on his cross and say, “Here is the God I worship. Is this your God?” Only a Christian can answer, “Yes. This is my God.”
The Jewish people claimed to worship the one true God, but when Jesus said, “I and the Father are one” (Jn 10:30), in other words, “I am God,” they picked up stones to kill him. How could God also be a man? Here is one of the most offensive claims of Christianity: God was mocked and ridiculed as he suffered and died on a cross between two common criminals. When people go shopping for a religion, why would anyone choose a God like that? The answer is: They wouldn’t. No one would choose Jesus. He’s not the kind of God people want to serve. He’s not the leader we hope to follow. He’s too weak. He is ridiculed and rejected. He suffers and dies. No one would choose him, but let me ask you, “Is this your God?”
The fact that you can answer, “Yes,” is proof of a miracle. You did not choose God, but he chose you. In baptism he said to you, “Today, I have become your God, and you have become my child. I will be your Shepherd, and you will be my sheep.” And what does it mean to be one of God’s sheep? Jesus tells us, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” Sheep hear the voice of the Shepherd. Sheep listen to the words of Jesus.
Sometimes we might wonder, “Why does God call us his sheep?” Sheep aren’t known for being particularly smart. What are sheep known for? Foxes are cunning. Cheetahs are fast. Eagles are majestic. “Why do I have to be a sheep?” Because only sheep get to have a Shepherd. Other creatures are strong and independent, but not sheep. Sheep need care. They need protection. And when God calls us his sheep, he is promising to care for our needs and to guard and protect us from every evil.
Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them life eternal and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand” (Jn 10:27–28). No matter how strong or independent we might like to imagine that we are, none of us is a match for the the devil and his cunning. No one can resist his siren call. No one can avoid his snares. No man on earth is his equal, except Christ, the Good Shepherd. But how strange is our Lord’s victory! God almighty becomes as one of us. Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so Jesus became weaker than the weakest of men.
What punishment so strange is suffered yonder!
The Shepherd dies for sheep that loved to wander;
The master pays the debt His servants own Him
Who would not know Him!
The foolishness of the cross is wiser than the wisdom of men. The weakness of God is stronger than the strength of men. It is stronger than the devil, stronger than sin, stronger even than death itself. The cross is foolishness! It is offensive that God should be so weak. It is unthinkable that God should be a man. But let me ask you, “Is this your God?” Only those whom God has chosen, and given the Holy Spirit through baptism can answer, “Yes. Here is my Shepherd. Here is my Savior. Here is my God!” And to all who confess this Christ, to you, Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them life eternal and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand.” Amen.