The Good Shepherd

11I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 12The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock. 13The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep.

14I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me, 15just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep. 16I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them in as well, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd.

As a farmer – I love the agricultural imagery of scripture. I am also aware that it can easily be lost though on a society that is not agriculturally based, or that has a different practice, to that which is depicted in scripture.

The expression “lay down my life “ has a few different aspects here. Firstly, Jesus is saying that he is the type of Shepherd fully given to the task. He forsook all other activities to focus on the sheep.  You see it is possible for the Shepherd to get up take the sheep out to pasture and then go off and undertake other activities and then come back and bring the sheep home in the evening. Such a shepherd would have partly fulfilled their duties. But Jesus says – forsaking all others he cares for the sheep. Of course in the case of Jesus who gave up the glory of heaven and gave himself to the task of being human this can be understood as Jesus  “laying down  his glory, and giving of himself to the sheep.” Jesus laying down his life at Calvary to win salvation for the sheep “not my will but thy will be done” in the interests and to the benefit of the sheep.

Biblical Shepherds had walled areas where the sheep slept at night and the shepherds would sleep in the opening, they would Lay down in the space where the flock was vulnerable and guard the sheep from who was coming in an out. That’s why Jesus could also say that he was the gate of the sheepfold – ( John 10:9)

In this Gospel Jesus compares Jewish leaders to hired hands, a hired hand cares for the sheep, for his own benefit, for the wages that he earns. But Jesus owns the sheep, he cares for them because they belong to him and he values then them for who they are and not for the wage that they earn him. Jesus says that when adversity comes the hired hand puts his own needs first, but Jesus -puts his life on the line to save the sheep. The story of David comes to mind when he speaks about retrieving a lamb from the predator (1Sam 35).

Sheep are amazing creatures; the mothers and lambs can recognise each other’s bleating. To us it all sounds the same, but a lamb can call to its mother and a mother can call its own lamb. They can also recognise the trusted voice of the shepherd. At night all the shepherds would bring the sheep together and they would sleep together in the sheepfold. in the morning the Shepherd would call out and each shepherd’s flock would follow their shepherd out to pasture and to drink. The shepherd would walk ahead of the flock calling to them and take them to fresh water and fresh grazing. Walking ahead the Shepherd would “clear the path” for the sheep driving off all danger and checking the quality of water before the sheep came to drink. The words of Jesus “come unto me all who are thirsty”  (Matthew 11:28) is shepherd speak,  I am preparing a place for you says the shepherd, I am making a way in the wilderness. So much of what Jesus says make so much sense when we see him as the Good Shepherd. The attentive, loving, dedicated, caring, devoted one, who cares for the flock and as verse 16 says wants to bring others to this flock to.  

Do you know the voice of the Shepherd, are you listening? It’s easy to be a wayward sheep and find your own way, running between shepherds and taking what you want when you want it, but you will not learn the true Shepherds voice unless you seek to recognise it more clearly by constantly following that voice. It is wise and brings great security when you become as devoted to your shepherd as he is to you. Then in times of hardship and scarcity you will know His voice, trust His voice and follow him not turning to the left or right (Duet 5:32), and you will be at peace in the midst of the hardship of this life.

The Good Shepherd does not simply give the sheep commands, by providing fences to guide and protect. The Good Shepherd abides with the sheep and takes a personal interest, it is a relationship; and that is what is on offer here, not a code to live by – but a Messiah to live with.  

Let us pray

Lord God still all other voices but your own, that we may follow in your ways and receive the life that you have prepared of us. Teach us your ways and give us the strength to not deviate from your commands.  

Draw us, into ever deepening relationship, that our lives my be secure in you.

Amen.