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The Good Shepherd

7/23/2024

The First Presbyterian Church of Blackwood
21 E. Church Street
Blackwood, NJ 08012
Sermon Notes (Sunday, July 21, 2024)
Rev. Dwayne M. Doyle, Guest Preacher
The Good Shepherd
Jeremiah 23:1-6; Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

From “The True Story of the Final Hour- The Heroic Rescue of the Pendleton Crew, 1952”:
“On Feb. 18, 1952, four men risked their lives in a howling nor’easter off Cape Cod to save 32 mariners on the shipwrecked tanker Pendelton. They brought all but one to safety in a wooden motorboat designed to hold no more than 16 people.
They were four Coast Guardsman at the Chatham Lifeboat Station who volunteered to try to make what seemed to be an impossible rescue. They faced freezing temperatures and 60-foot waves in the hopes of reaching the Pendelton, an oil tanker that had snapped in two during the fierce storm. All received the God Lifesaving Medal, the Coast Guard’s highest honor, for “extreme and heroic daring.”
The Coast Guard called it the greatest rescue by a small boat in its history. The four men were called heroes. They shrugged it off and said they were just doing their job.
No SOS from the Pendleton
At 5 a.m. on Feb. 18, 1952 the Pendleton was headed south in blinding snow and violent seas 10 miles off the coast of Chatham, Mass. Suddenly crewmen heard explosive cracking noises. The vessel lurched heavily and then broke in two.
Pendleton Sinking
The Pendelton’s bow section lost power and drifted south with the captain and seven crewmen aboard. The power remained on the stern section, and the chief engineer took charge and assigned duties to the 32 crewmen.
They didn’t manage to issue an SOS
At midmorning the Chatham Lifeboat Station got word that another tanker, the Fort Mercer, had also snapped in half. Cutters, an airplane and a lifesaving motorboat raced to rescue the vessel 20 miles off the coast.
Hours later, radar at the Coast Guard station showed the two broken pieces of the Pendleton.
Coxswain Bernard Webber was told to pick his crew and rescue the shipwrecked sailors. Three men volunteered for the suicidal mission: coast Guardsmen Ervin Maske, Andrew Fitzgerald and Richard P. Livesey.
Rock of Ages
They launched the 36-foot boat named the CG-36500 into mountainous waves, blinding snow and zero visibility. To ward off fear, they sang Rock of Ages and Harbor Lights as they approached Chatham’s treacherous sand bar.
The Pendelton wreck lay just on the other side of the bar.
As they crossed the bar, a wave smashed into the CG-36500 and threw it high into the air. The boat landed on its side and righted quickly before another wave struck it. The breaker shattered the windshield, flattened Coxswain Webber and sent shards of glass into his face. It also destroyed the compass, their only navigational aid.
Capt. W. Russell Webster described what happened next in the Naval Institute Proceedings.
“Creeping the boat forward, the searchlight soon revealed a pitch-black mass of twisted metal, which heaved high in the air upon the massive waves and then settled back down in a “frothing mass of foam.” Each movement of the giant hulk produced a cacophony of eerie groans as the broken ship twisted and strained in the 60-foot seas. No lights were apparent as coxswain Webber maneuvered the small boat aft along the port side of the Pendelton’s stern section.
Rounding stern, CG-36500’s search light illuminated the word PENDLETON and moments later, the larger vessel’s own deck lights became apparent. And, then a small figure above began frantically waving his arms! He soon disappeared. Coxswain Webber then saw a mass of people begin to line Pendelton’s starboard stern area, many shouting muffled instruction, which were unintelligible over the wind and crashing seas. Without notice, a Jacob’s ladder was tossed over the side.”
(From the U.S. Department of Homeland Security United State Coat Guard Auxiliary Sunday July 21, 2024. USCG AUX AUXWeb Division 13)
As the humble crew rescued the crew of the sinking Pendelton Oil Tanker, so our Lord Jesus Christ sacrificed his place of safety in heaven to come and rescue the human race.
The Lord is my Shepherd Psalm 23:1
A Shepherd - A keeper or herder of sheep. 2. A pastor, leader, or guide.
It was customary for shepherds to lead their flocks instead of driving them, as is done in the West. Even today, shepherds in the hills of Udea can be heard calling in a strange language to their sheep, which hasten to follow. The relationship of shepherd to sheep was so close that the shepherd of a small flock could distinguish among his sheep, and any sheep could recognize its master’s voice.
            The shepherd’s lot was not an easy one. He was almost always outdoors, with only a camel-hair cloak and a simple head veil to protect him from the wind and the rain and from the burning heat of the midday sun. Generally, a shepherd ate only what he could carry with him- bread, cheese, olives, figs, dates, and raisins.
            The sheep had to be led to forage and water, and if a sheep fell into a rocky crevice, the shepherd had to climb down to it or pull it to safety with his curved staff. If the sheep was hurt in the fall, the shepherd stretched the animal over his shoulders, carried it to a safe place, and tended its injuries. At night the sheep had to be protected from thieves and from wild animals.
            The hills around Bethlehem were full of predators, including bears, leopards, jackals, and occasionally hyenas. The shepherd, usually armed with a slingshot and a rod (a wooden club embedded with flint or nails), was the sheep’s sole protection against sudden and violent death. In fighting off wild animals or thieves, a shepherd might lose his own life.
            To help them protect the animals under their care, shepherds often built a sheepfold. This was an enclosure of high, mortarless stone walls topped with thorn branches to keep out wild animals. The fold had no gate; so the shepherd acted as a human gate by lying across the open entryway. When shepherds shared a sheepfold, they could take turns sleeping. Jesus and His Times Reader’s Digest Reader’s Digest Association, Inc.: Pleasantville, New York, Montreal 1987, pp.24-25
            In the book of Jeremiah, God had warned the people of Israel that they were going to be taken over by Babylon. King Jehoiachin would be abandoned by God. Jeremiah speaks to the leadership of Israel, “What sorrow awaits the leaders of my people - the shepherds of my sheep - for they have destroyed and scattered the very ones they were expected to care for,” says the LORD. Jeremiah 23:1 New Living Translation.
Therefore, this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says to these shepherds: “Instead of caring for my flock and leading them to safety, you have deserted them and driven them to destruction. Now I will pour out my judgment on you for the evil you have done to them. Jeremiah 23:2
But I will gather together the remnant of my flock from the countries where I have driven them. I will bring them back to their own sheepfold, and they will be fruitful and increase in number. Jeremiah 23:3
Then I will appoint responsible shepherds who will care for them, and they will never be afraid again. Not a single one will be lost or missing. I, the LORD, have spoken! Jeremiah 23:4
For the time is coming says the LORD, “when I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David’s line. (righteous branch). He will be a King who rules with wisdom. He will do what is just and right throughout the land. Jeremiah 23:5
And this will be his name: ‘The LORD is Our Righteousness.” (Yahweh Tsidqenu) In that day Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. Jeremiah 23:6
This brings us to our point in Mark 6:30.
The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul.
The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Psalm 23:1-3NLT
The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and taught. Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat. Mark 6:30-31 New Living Translation
So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone. But many people recognized them and saw them leaving, and people from many towns ran ahead along the shore and got there ahead of them.
Jesus saw the huge crowd and he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. Mark 6:34 NLT
Sheep without a shepherd may refer to: “individuals or nations who had forgotten God (Numbers 27:17; I Kings 22:17; Ezekiel 34:5,8; Zechariah 10:2; Matthew 9:36; Mark 6:34).” All the Trades and Occupations of the Bible A Fascinating Study of Ancient Arts and Crafts by Herbert Lockyer, Zondervan Publishing House: Grand Rapids, Michigan. 1969, p. 201d.
Jesus was the Good Shepherd that was prophesized about in Jeremiah. He was promised to come by the covenant that God made with Abraham (Through your seed I will bless the world). He was talked about in the Garden of Eden when Eve was told that the servant (Satan) would bite your heel and you would strike his head. Jesus was the promised Messiah that would take away the sins of the world.
How should knowing and understanding that Jesus is our Good Shepherd affect us on a daily basis?
Whenever I’m afraid I put my trust in you. Psalm 56:3 - We can trust him.
Jesus feeds the 5,000. Nothing is impossible with Jesus. Jesus wants to sometimes test us so that we can trust him to do the impossible so that we can grow in our faith in him. [Example of the Ropes Course and taking greater risks because of my trust in those belaying me. My instructor was like Jesus, or a coach.] When we can trust Jesus, we can do amazing things.
God isn’t looking for great people to do great things for God. God is looking for ordinary people who are willing to trust God to do Great things. (This was told to me when I got ordained)
“Immediately after this, (the feeding of the 5,000 and their families with only five loaves and two fish with twelve baskets of bread and fish left over), Mark 6:35-44
“Late in the afternoon his disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the nearby farms and villages and buy something to eat.” Mark 6:37.
But Jesus said, “You feed them.”
With what?” they asked. “We’d have to work for months to earn enough money to buy food for all these people.”
“How much bread do you have he asked? Go and find out.”
They came back and responded, “We have five loaves of bread and two fish.”
Then Jesus told the disciples to have the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of fifty or a hundred.
Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. He also divided the fish for everyone to share. They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterwards, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftover bread and fish. “A total of 5,000 men and their families were fed. Mark 6:
The disciples should have learned that when Jesus is involved, anything is possible.

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows. With blessings. Psalm 23:4-5NLT
Jesus walked on the water on the Sea of Galilee in the early morning hours while the disciples were struggling to get a boat under control.
Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and head across the lake to Bethsaida, while he sent the people home. After telling everyone good-bye, he went up into the hills by himself to pray.
Late that night, the disciples were in their boat in the middle of the lake, and Jesus was alone on land. He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them (Greek about the fourth watch of the night), walking on the water. He intended to go past them., but when they saw him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking he was a ghost. They were all terrified when they saw him. But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage! I am here!” (Or The ‘I AM ’is here; Greek reads I am. See Exodus 3:14).
Then he climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were totally amazed, for they still didn’t understand the significance of the miracle of the loaves. Their hearts were too hard to take it in. Mark 6:41-52
What did the disciples learn? That Jesus can walk on water and can control the elements of nature. That they have nothing to fear when Jesus is around. That when Jesus insists that his disciples get back into the boat and head across the lake to Bethsaida, everything is going to be alright. Jesus was willing to allow his disciples to go it on their own, but when he saw they needed help, he interceded for them. He will not leave us to fight our fears alone. He is always there right beside us. We can trust him to see us through. If Jesus asks us to do something, he will give us the ability to do it. This is true shepherding or discipleship. Has Jesus asked you to do anything for him? Are you trusting him to help you complete the task?
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:4 NLT
After they had crossed the lake, they landed at Gennesaret. They brought the boat to shore and climbed out. The people recognized Jesus at once. And they ran throughout the whole area, carrying sick people on mats to wherever they heard he was. Wherever he went - in villages, cities or the countryside - they brought the sick out to the marketplaces. They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed. Mark 6:53-56 NLT
People need someone to trust in. Someone to have hope in, something to have hope in. We all need a shepherd. We all need Jesus and we all should do our best to point people to Jesus.
[My last experience on the plane flying home from Denver, CO talking to Adam.]
Are you, or have you been experiencing the presence of God in your lives in such a way that you can share that joy with others who are in need of that same experience?
We can’t give what we haven’t experienced ourselves. We can only give to others what we have first received ourselves.
We need to spend time with Jesus every day so that we are full of his Word. We need to be in prayer to Jesus every day so that we can take all of our cares, worries to him. We can also help others to learn how to take their cares, worries and concerns unto Jesus. [Ralph walking by Haddon Lake with his dog Molly].

Conclusion
The Good Shepherd has come in the person of Jesus Christ. We need to follow his guidance, turn over our life to him and go where he leads us. After all, he is the Good Shepherd, and he will never lead us astray. We can put our trust in Him!
Amen

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