To Be Sheep
1 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. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers." (John 10:1-5)
People generally don't like being compared to sheep because sheep have gotten a reputation for being dumb but, in reality, sheep are quite smart, have keen hearing and, according to the SPCA, sheep can read the emotional expressions on the faces of other sheep. Sheep are timid and they do, by nature, flock together for protection, but they also stay together because they form strong bonds with one another. Sheep can be docile or head strong, and they experience a range of complex emotions. Perhaps these similarities contributed to why Jesus compared his followers to sheep and himself to both the good shepherd and the gate. Surely Jesus drew from the idyllic imagery of Psalm 23 where the shepherd provides comfort and peace even in difficult - or deadly - circumstances. In Jesus' imagery, the sheep were able to differentiate between the voice of the shepherd and the voice of a stranger. In our overstimulated world, what a gift it would be to be able to block out the destructive voices around and within, and clearly tune in to the One who always cares and always provides.
May we truly have the wisdom to hear and heed the voice of our Good Shepherd both in lush pastures and dark valleys - trusting that we are cared for even when we must be corrected, and even when we feel that we are
surrounded by enemies.
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; 3 he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff-- they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD my whole life long. (Psalm 23)
