The Good Shepherd and the Flock
This Sunday is Good Shepherd Sunday, so it was incredibly well-timed for a video to go viral of a sheep getting rescued from being stuck in a crack before immediately jumping back into the crack. Of course, many Christians have shared this around. We like to make fun of ourselves for going back to our sin even after being rescued by Jesus, so this is perfect. Self-deprecating humor comparing us to this dumb sheep is a good reminder of our many faults and flaws, but as much fun as it is to make fun of the stupid sheep, I also feel sorry for it. It’s frightened. It’s alone without any other sheep around it. It’s probably hurt. I think we can all agree that while this is often how we do behave, this is not how we should behave.
While the Bible loves comparing us to sheep, I don’t think God’s vision for us is to be scared, lonely, sheep running away from our rescuers. Certainly, the text of Psalm 23 doesn’t indicate panic and anxiety. This Psalm, perhaps the most famous of all passages comparing us to sheep, is about trust not fear. Even in dark and dangerous places, the Psalmist trusts the Shepherd. Even in the presence of enemies, we don’t need to be afraid. In the face of death itself, we can be confident in the guidance of our Lord.
The tenth chapter of the Gospel of John describes Jesus as the Good Shepherd. Jesus knows us, and we know Jesus. There is a close personal relationship built upon a deep sense of trust. Even amongst wolves and faithless hired hands, the Good Shepherd is a constant source of security. We can always trust Jesus.
Even in the Old Testament, the people of Israel were sometimes referred to as sheep, guided by the shepherd, the king. A good leader of Israel was expected to gently guide, uplift the poor and marginalized, but come down strongly against those who seek to oppress people or pull them away from God. God entrusted the king to take care of the people, so the people could trust the king to take care of them. They could rest assured. There was no need for fear, anxiety, panic, distress, and any other feelings that might overwhelm them.
The Bible is clear on its imagery of shepherding: the sheep can faithfully trust the shepherd. So why doesn’t it work? Why don’t we trust? Why do we sometimes end up like the sheep from the viral video: alone, frightened, and hurt?
In John 21:15-17, Jesus gets back at Peter for denying him three times, by asking him three times if he loves him. We all know this story well enough. Each time Peter answers affirmatively, Jesus tells him to tend to the flock. “Feed my sheep.”
I don’t think this was meant only for Peter. I think Jesus is talking to all of us. Though we are all the sheep, we are also expected to care for the other sheep. Christian community looks like sheep taking care of sheep while the Shepherd protects, provides, and cherishes them all. The Holy Spirit empowers us to become blessings to each other. We feed each other, even as we are fed by each other, as we are all fed by Christ. When community works, it is beautiful. Love abounds. Cups run over. Blessings abide. The Kingdom comes.
Unfortunately, the community doesn’t always work. Things break. People get hurt. Matthew 18:10-14 gives us the parable of the lost sheep. Out of a flock of one hundred, one sheep goes missing. The text doesn’t elaborate upon why the sheep was lost. Did it just wander off looking for food and lose its way? If so, why? Was there not enough food in the pasture? Was it driven away? Did the other sheep make it feel unwelcome?
Whatever the cause, the situation is a crisis. The shepherd leaves the rest of the flock unattended to find the one lost sheep. This is obviously a risky move, but the shepherd thinks it is the right choice. The 100-sheep-flock isn’t itself if it is missing even one. But this means the shepherd has to trust that the flock move on without him and will keep itself safe without any other sheep wandering off. For this to work, not only does the flock need to trust the shepherd, the shepherd needs to trust the flock.
Many people have had times when they feel unwelcome by their own communities. Sometimes this is, regrettably, because the community genuinely doesn't want them. However, there are times, when our personal demons drive us away. We feel unwelcome because our own fears and doubts speak louder than the love of the community. Even if no one is judging us, we feel judged. Even when people love us, or at worst, are indifferent toward us, sometimes we feel hated. We get trapped in our own heads and can’t escape self-doubt.
Maybe Christian community is about seeing those hurt people, knowing that it can be us at any time. Maybe we need to lovingly recognize that when people wander off, it may be no one’s fault, but it is a problem. We need to see people lost, alone, scared, hurt, and suffering from wounds inflicted by either the community or themselves. And we lovingly plead with the Good Shepherd, bring back to us our hurting friends. We’ll stay put. We’ll be safe. We’ll feed each other. Just go find the lost ones and bring them home, and we’ll be waiting to feed them when they get back.
We all belong to the Good Shepherd, who provides everything we need. In community, we share in love what God has provided in the Son through the Holy Spirit. We lovingly embrace each other and longingly hope for the lost ones to return trusting that the Good Shepherd will bring them home to be with us. Together. Without fear. A community founded in love and trust.
