Voice Recognition

The Fourth Sunday of Easter: Good Shepherd Sunday

May 11, 2025

John 10:22-30

 “Voice Recognition”

Voice recognition is not a new thing in our lives. It’s been out there for several decades now, and it continues to grow and expand through things like software on our computers and phones, artificial intelligence (AI), smart appliances, smart homes and smart cars. All of these devices have the capability to recognize our voices and respond to commands that we give them. Although this technology is widely used, sometimes without our even realizing it, not everyone is a fan. Some people find all of this off-putting, even threatening. Many are concerned about what the future may look like with the rise of AI. There can be a humorous side to all of this, though. Consider the comic strip, “Zits,” which I enjoy. I’m one of those people who still gets the hardcopy newspaper, including the comics. Written by Jerry Scott and illustrated by Jim Borgman, “Zits” is about a high school student named Jeremy, who lives with his parents, Walt, who is an orthodontist, and Connie, who is a child psychologist. In one comic strip, Jeremy has been trying to teach his dad about voice recognition software for the computer. Jeremy is seated at the computer, coaching his dad about how it works. “With voice recognition software you talk and the computer knows what you mean. Go ahead and try it.” His dad speaks to the computer: “Call the plumber.” “See! It says, ‘Call the plumber,’ Jeremy tells his dad.” To which his dad replies, “Oh, I thought it would call the plumber.” Jeremy’s closing line is this: “For a guy who can’t microwave popcorn, you sure have high expectations of technology.” We hear about a different kind of voice recognition in today’s Gospel lesson from Jesus our Good Shepherd: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:27-28). This becomes the theme for today’s sermon entitled, “Voice Recognition.” May the Lord’s rich and abundant blessing rest upon the preaching, the hearing, and the living of his Word for Jesus’ sake.

The Fourth Sunday of Easter is often called Good Shepherd Sunday. The image of our risen Savior and Good Shepherd comes through vividly in worship today with the Scripture lessons, the hymns, the prayers, and the message, all pointing us to Jesus who shed his blood and laid down his life for all those called to be the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand (Psalm 100:3). In today’s first Scripture lesson (Acts 20:17-35), Paul the apostle reminds the elders of the church in Ephesus: “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.” These sobering words are often read at ordinations as well as installations for pastors who are called to be under-shepherds of the Good Shepherd, feeding Jesus’ lambs and tending his flock. We sang together an alternate setting of the beloved Psalm 23: “Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.” The Epistle lesson (Revelation 7:9-17) paints a beautiful picture of what awaits all who put their trust in Jesus. Believers from every people, tribe, nation and language will be gathered before the throne of God and before the Lamb. That Lamb is Jesus, who is both our Good Shepherd and the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29): “For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

There are many voices in the world calling out to us and vying for our attention: the voice of power, wealth and luxury, enticing us to want more and more, leading to be discontent and dissatisfaction with the blessings God has already given us. There is the voice of intolerance and prejudice that points fingers at “those people” who are scapegoated to be the cause of all our problems. There is the voice of distraction and busyness that undermines the joy of living. There is the voice of self-condemnation that criticizes and convicts us of being unworthy, not just of the love and affection of others, but of the love of our Good Shepherd. Do we recognize these voices? They are out there and they are very real. Their purpose is to draw our hearts away from God, so much so that we no longer recognize or follow the voice of our Good Shepherd. All of this can lead to terrible consequences. Earlier here in John 10, Jesus put it like this: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). Whatever points us to Jesus, whatever is life-giving, whatever blesses not only our lives but the lives of others – this is of the Lord. Our Good Shepherd assures us that we are safe in his care and keeping, come what may. “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:28). This is the voice we recognize. This is the voice we listen to. This is the voice of Jesus.

Today as we celebrate Mother’s Day, I want to share a story with you about a mother and son. A husband and wife had a son who was born with a rare birth defect, Pierre Robin Syndrome (Sequence), which affects the jaw, mouth and breathing. When the child – Sidney – was eight years old, he needed to undergo a medical procedure and was being prepped for surgery. The medical team was trying unsuccessfully to intubate him in order for him to breathe during surgery. Sidney had to be lying on his back for this to happen, but it was dangerous because of his condition. Doing so meant that his airway became obstructed almost immediately and he would stop breathing. Sidney’s mom had requested the team not to do this without her being present, but they did so anyway. Despite their protests, mom went to Sidney’s bedside and could see that he was struggling, his little body writhing as he tried to breathe. She reached out and wrapped her son’s little hand around her fingers and began to speak to him: “Sidney, it’s okay. Mommy is here. They need to put this in so that you can breathe. I need you to relax and let them. I will be with you and I will not leave you. Mommy is here.” His little body began to relax and the doctors were able to complete the procedure. Mom knew what her son needed and he listened to her voice.

Our Good Shepherd does the same for us. He comes to us in our struggles; even when we find it hard to breathe and it feels like we can’t go on. Our Good Shepherd says to us: “It’s okay. I need you to relax. I will not leave you. I am here.” By the power of the Holy Spirit, in this Easter season and in every season of life, may we hear, recognize and follow the voice of Jesus our Good Shepherd until we join that multitude which no one can number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, rejoicing and singing praises. Amen.