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Fourth Sunday of Easter • Year A
April 26, 2026
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Historical Collect
Almighty God, you show those in error the light of your truth, that they may return into the way of righteousness. Grant to all who are admitted into fellowship with Christ the power to avoid all things that are contrary to the faith and to follow you according to the will of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Leonine Sacramentary, 6th Century)
Thematic Collect
Living God, your Son cares for your people as a shepherd cares for his sheep, calling us each by name. Grant that we may hear and recognize his voice, and, following him, be brought safely through every trial and temptation; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
The Common Thread
How do sheep hear the voice of their shepherd? Likely not by constant bleating. Rather, they keep an ear toward the shepherd. Otherwise, they wander off into trouble. Moreover, without an ear to the shepherd, they will miss a meal. It is the shepherd who calls the sheep to good grazing spots and fresh water. He who thirsted, Gregory of Nazianzus said, exclaimed to the world, “Whoever thirsts, let him come to me and drink.” The suffering shepherd who hungered, still feeds his sheep. But they must hear him call, and come to the meal. This is one reason we must devote ourselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer.
First Reading • Acts 2:42-47
John Bunyan wrote in the cover of his Bible, “Either this book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this book.” Roughly 200 years later, Dwight L. Moody said something similar: “The Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible.” We should say, “Not even sin will keep me from the Word of God.” It is devotion to the Word of God, fellowship, Holy Communion, and prayers that keep us focused on the Lord despite our sin. He is the one who keeps us as a shepherd and saves us from our sins.
Psalm • Psalm 23:1-6
Luther said, “... (I)n this single little word ‘shepherd’ there are gathered together in one almost all the good and comforting things that we praise in God” (Luther’s Works, Vol. 12). The sheep have no concern for any earthly thing, such as food or drink or rest, or, for that matter, fortress, shield, or refuge. The shepherd is all of these and more. Why should we be any more concerned about such matters when we seek first the Great Shepherd of the kingdom (Matt 6:31-33)?
Second Reading • 1 Peter 2:19-25
We are called to suffer wrongs done to us — even when we wrong ourselves through sinning. This is the example Christ set for us. Because of our sin, he suffered for us, bearing our sins in order to bring us back from our straying. The least we can do is return again from straying and trust the Shepherd to oversee our souls.
Gospel • John 10:1-10
Our Gospel lesson echoes all the readings today, informing us that the only clear and objective way to hear the Shepherd’s voice is in his Word. Through listening to his voice and obeying the word of the Shepherd, we find access to the sheepfold again and again. He is the only entrance to salvation (John 10:9, 14:6).
Resources
Links to Worship Resources for this Service
