Kevin delivered a sermon on the Good Shepherd from John 10, which follows the healing of the man born blind in John 9. He explained that John wants readers to connect this story with Psalm 23, but also with Ezekiel 34, where God criticizes the Jewish leaders for failing to care for their flock. Kevin highlighted Ezekiel’s prophecy that God would be the shepherd and would seek the lost, bind up the injured, and strengthen the weak. He noted that Ezekiel’s reference to David as the future shepherd was not literal, as David had been dead for over 500 years. Kevin shared how the Good Shepherd story in John, reveals that Jesus fulfills the role of the caring shepherd contrasting him with hirelings who abandon their flock. He explained how this message would be particularly relevant to first century Jewish Christians who were being excluded from synagogues. Kevin also shared personal insights from his conversation with a real shepherd about the challenges and dedication required in sheep herding.

Kevin discussed the symbolism in John 10, explaining that the wolf represents the Pharisees who were expelling Jewish Christians from synagogues. He interpreted the hired hand as Jewish Christian leaders who abandoned their fellow Jewish Christians out of self-interest, while Jesus contrasted this with his role as the Good Shepherd who would lay down his life for the sheep.

The sermon concluded with an invitation for listeners to recognize their own wanderings and return to following the Good Shepherd, with a call for those who felt prompted to come forward during the closing hymn for prayer.