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Stephen Ministry

We continue in our series, "The Lord is My Shepherd," using the word "Shepherd" as an acronym for characteristics of Jesus. Today the second letter in Shepherd, "H," reminding us that Jesus is Holy.

Two things are implied in this series: First, and most obviously, Jesus is all these things—our shepherd, holy, equipper, prophet and so on. Second, that we as followers of Jesus Christ and bearers of the name, Shepherd of the Hills, are to be these things for other people. Today, the holy nature of Christ and the call for us to be holy also, a tough assignment but an important one. Our Scripture reading is 1 Peter 1:13-16.

First, let’s be clear about the word holy. Some synonyms for holy are sacred, consecrated, hallowed, sanctified, blessed, righteous, devout, pure, virtuous and faithful. In looking up the definition for holy, I discovered some range to the word that is reflected in the synonyms. The dictionary I read broke the definition of holy into synonym categories: consecrated, meaning "set apart for religious purposes;" saintly, "devoted to the service of God" (or "a god, or a goddess"); sacred, "relating to…a divine being or power;" awe-inspiring, "having a character that evokes reverence."

We don’t think of ourselves in such terms. In fact, sometimes such terms are used negatively in describing another person—self-righteous, pious, holier than thou attitude, that type of thing. In a moment, we’re going to look at the call for holiness in our lives and its importance for us—a somewhat difficult task because we don’t often think of ourselves as holy. Less difficult is the consideration of Jesus as holy. And his holiness is foundational to his role as our Shepherd.

To begin with, Jesus’ holiness is linked to his divinity. God is holy. We have no trouble in understanding God as holy. Jesus, as God in human flesh, Emmanuel (God with us), or, as we’ll profess in a few moments in the Nicene Creed, "God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God," is holy. Yet, it is also his actions that make Jesus holy. Jesus is without sin. It is sin that robs us of our holiness, sin that makes us an "unholy people." Jesus was without sin. This is essential doctrine in our Christian faith because if Jesus wasn’t holy, if Jesus was guilty of sin, his death would be meaningless for us. If Jesus had sin in his life he could not die on the cross for our sins because he would’ve been deserving of the consequence of sin—death and separation from God—and, therefore, unable to pay the penalty for us. Jesus is holy because he did not sin. The writer of Hebrews, describing Jesus’ priestly role of bringing forgiveness for our sins, says this, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin," (Hebrews 4:15). Foundational to our faith, and to the holiness of Jesus, is that while he was tempted in every way that we are tempted, he did not sin.

That is something that is beyond my comprehension and I accept it by faith. Jesus’ holiness makes sense when I read about him in the Gospels, when I study his nature and character found there. But to think of Jesus being tempted in every way that I am yet was without sin is beyond my comprehension. Did Jesus have the same crazy thoughts enter his mind that come into mine…seemingly out of nowhere? How did he deal with them? It’s difficult to get my mind around that. Whereas a crazy thought enters into my mind—I wonder if I could get away with sneaking this item out of the store, (where does that come from?) or, that person hurt me and when I get the chance, here’s what I’m going to do to retaliate and, sometimes, I act upon those thoughts, Jesus dismissed them from his mind and moved on and away from such things. How was he able to do that—tempted in every way, yet without sin.

One of the crazy thoughts that enters into my mind once in awhile is some form of retaliation is somebody steals my parking space. Ever have that happen to you? Like in that scene from Fried Green Tomatoes when "Tawanda" smashes into the back of a Volkswagen bug that some haughty teenage girl whipped into "Tawanda’s" parking space? I have a friend who actually did that, got so frustrated when someone took her parking space that she rammed into the back of their car! I suppose it’s that experience, having a friend who actually did that, combined with the scene from the movie that leads to my occasionally thinking about what I’d do if that happened to me. I’ve actually given it some thought. I hesitate to tell you what it is, partially out of concern that you’ll think I’m a crazy person and partially out of concern you’ll think it a pretty good idea and want to do it yourself! The temptation that strikes me toward that situation is to get one of those tools that removes the stem from a tire and if anyone ever took my parking space like that I wouldn’t say a word to them, but would come back to their car, remove the stems out of all four tires, take the stems and caps with me and leave a note that says, "Hope you enjoyed the parking space because the rest of your day isn’t going to go so well!" I’ve actually thought of that. I’ve never bought one of those tools but I’m tempted to every time I walk by one in the hardware store…or when I start thinking about being prepared to retaliate against someone who stole my parking space. Did Jesus ever think about such things? Not tires and parking spots, obviously, but some other form of retaliation? How did he get rid of that thought? How was Jesus tempted in every way we are, yet was without sin?

It’s a bit beyond my comprehension to totally answer that. But, I believe it and accept it on faith. There is much about God that is beyond my comprehension and I accept it on faith based upon what the Word of God leads me to believe. Jesus was without sin and, therefore, is deserving of the title Holy. His holiness enables him to fulfill his purpose for coming to live among his people. First, and foremost, that he could go to the cross free of sin and pay the penalty for our sin. And, second, that his life without sin would reveal to us the best that we human beings can be. We don’t have to give in to the temptations that entice us. Jesus’ holiness inspires us to strive for a similar holiness in our lives.

However, we usually don’t think of ourselves as holy. And certainly that is true in comparison to Jesus. We know too well the evidence of sin in our lives. But holiness is something we, as followers of the Great Shepherd and bearers of the name Shepherd, are to strive for. And it is possible only through Jesus.

To begin with, our holiness—without which we could not be in the presence of a Holy God—is not based upon what we do to be holy. It is based upon what Christ has done for us. Again, the writer of Hebrews reminds us, And by [Christ’s willful obedience] we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all," (Hebrews 10:10). It is Christ’s holiness that makes us holy. It is Christ’s holiness that God sees in us.

That is not to say we are without some action on our part toward being a more holy person. We are to seek holiness, being rid of sin in our lives in being the kind of person God wants us to be. And, befitting of the title Good Shepherd, Jesus does not leave us alone in our efforts. Promising to be with us always, the Spirit of Christ is a constant presence to encourage and empower us toward a more holy life. In preparing his disciples for the coming time when he would no longer be physically with them, Jesus said, I will send [the Advocate] to you…he will guide you into all the truth, (John 16:7b, 13b). The holiness brought by his Spirit is what Jesus prayed for in the Upper Room with his disciples, the setting for the first Lord’s Supper. His prayer was not just for the disciples gathered there in the room with him. His prayer was also for disciples who would come later. His prayer was for you and for me. "Sanctify…" (one of those synonyms for holy), "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me," (John 17:17-21).

And so Jesus, our Holy Shepherd, seeks to lead us to holiness. In going to the cross for our sins Jesus has made us holy before God…only through his holiness are we able to gather together in the presence of God and offer our worship. Through his Spirit at work in us, he leads us to live a more holy life and thereby be more effective shepherds to those around us.

The celebration of this table is called Holy Communion. It is a place of reminder, of what Jesus did for us upon the cross and making us holy. And it is a place of empowering, where Christ’s Spirit is present to build up in us a stronger, more holy life. Let us worship, and let us celebrate this sacrament with the confession that the Lord is my Shepherd…and he is a holy Shepherd.

Let’s take a moment for silent confession.