Will Willimon says, “As a Sunday, Good Shepherd Sunday is … not my favorite.” It sounds as if Jesus is doing all the work. He’s the Good Shepherd. What are we? Sheep? And what do sheep do? Lie in green pastures? Drink from still waters? Aren’t we supposed to do something? Aren’t we supposed to be out there bringing in God’s Kingdom? Well, maybe not, Willimon says. Or at least, not always.

Will Willimon is the author of Fear of the Other and Who Lynched Willie Earle? Preaching to Confront Racism, both from Abingdon Press. He also publishes Pulpit Resource, a weekly preaching resource available through Ministry Matters. This sermon is from A Sermon for Every Sunday, a series of lectionary-based video sermons designed for use in worship, Bible study, small groups, Sunday school classes or for individual use.