The Good Shepherd

This photo is of a Syrian Bedouin shepherd in 2009 taking his flock through the ruins of Palmyra. I like this 2st century image of 'the good shepherd' protecting the vulnerable.

Today, the 4th Sunday of Easter, is often known as 'Good Shepherd Sunday' because, for those churches that follow the Common Lectionary, the gospel reading is always from John 10 where Jesus speaks of himself as the Shepherd of his flock.

Today's gospel reading is John 10: 1 - 10.

‘Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.’ Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
So again Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.'

When Jesus spoke of sheep and shepherds, people understood. Of course a thief wouldn’t enter the sheepfold through the gateway. He’d climb over the wall at night. The shepherd would enter through the doorway. At night he’d lie across the entrance, making himself the gate. No sheep could get out without passing the shepherd. No person or animal could get in without passing him. The shepherd lived with the sheep and defended them with his life.

In the land where Jesus lived, you can still see something Jesus saw. Bedouin shepherds lead their flocks at dusk from to a water source. Different flocks mingle together as they drink. The shepherds don’t worry about the mix up. When it’s time to go, each shepherd gives his distinctive call or whistle. At that sound only, his sheep withdraw from the others to follow their shepherd. The sheep know to whom they belong. Their shepherd’s voice is the only one they’ll follow.

Unlike British shepherds, Bedouins lead their sheep. In the gospel Jesus is picturing the morning routine in a sheepfold where several flocks with different owners had spent the night. The shepherd calls his sheep one by one, a unique call for each sheep.

“…He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out” (John 10:3).

He knows them. They know him. They can relax because experience has taught them that their shepherd will care for them. The shepherd leads them out to graze, the sheep reassured by the voice they trust. If another shepherd calls, the sheep run away. They don’t recognise the stranger’s voice.

Jesus’ sheep hear him calling. Jesus calls all sorts of people of all ages – even you. When I look at a flock of sheep they look rather alike. I can distinguish young lambs from mature ewes or a ram, but that’s as far as it goes. But for the shepherd, each sheep is individual. God knows your fears, doubts, joys and grief, personality, strengths and weakness. He knows you by name and you’re precious to him.

Jesus’ vocation was to be the good shepherd who came that the sheep

“may have life, and have it abundantly” (v.10).

The vocation of every Christian is to be a disciple of Jesus – a ‘sheep’ who hears his voice. Vocation means calling. How we work out that calling is different for each. What he asks you to do he asks no one else because there’s no one like you. Whatever role God asks you to fulfil, the primary call is to hear the good shepherd, to develop a relationship with God. If you’re finding it hard to hear or you’re confused about what path to take, don’t forget the guidance God gives in Scripture. Things like ‘love the Lord your God’. ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ Most of the time we know in general what God wants us to do.

If you’re scared God will ask you to do something you don’t want, listen to the reassuring voice of the shepherd in today’s gospel. God is not the “thief who comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (v.10). The good shepherd came so the sheep “may have life, and have it abundantly”. If you don’t hear, or choose to ignore his call, he won’t stop loving you. The good shepherd doesn’t beat his sheep into obedience. He lives with them and encourages them to trust him.

Try to set aside a few moments each day this week to be silent in the presence of Jesus the Good Shepherd. Jesus calls his own sheep by name and leads them out, even if you are currently in Covid19 lockdown. He’s calling you. Listen to his voice. And relax – the good shepherd knows what he’s doing!

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons