The Lord’s Sheep

Reflection on John 10:27-30

The image of a shepherd and his sheep is not familiar to us living in an urban setting. We never see shepherds herding sheep across our streets. Things may be quite different with people living in rural areas.

It is obvious that Jesus was far more familiar with the image of shepherd and sheep than we are because he used it so very often. The classic text where Jesus made extensive use of that image is in John 10. That is where our Gospel reading of today comes from, as is the case every 4th Sunday of Easter. As a matter of fact, the 4^th Sunday of Easter every year is known as "Good Shepherd Sunday."

One of the lessons one may learn from the teaching of Jesus is that there is some kind of unwritten covenant between the shepherd and his sheep. By the terms of that covenant, the shepherd commits himself to care for the sheep, to lead them to fresh and green pastures (Psalm 23), to defend them against the wolf and other potential predators (John 10). The sheep, for their part, are expected to listen to the voice of the shepherd and follow where he leads. They are to follow him alone, and not strangers.

Where both parties are faithful to the terms of the covenant, all goes well for the sheep. The contrary is the case if either the shepherd or the sheep were to breach the terms of the covenant. The shepherd can do that if he is only a hireling and not the owner of the sheep. His interest in the sheep will not go beyond what it takes for him to earn his pay. He will not, for instance, risk his life to defend the sheep in the event of an attack by a wolf. The sheep can default on their own part of the covenant by refusing to listen to the voice of the shepherd and thereby choosing not to follow him. If and when that does happen, the sheep are exposed to grave danger from the wolf and other predators.

Jesus is the Shepherd, we are his sheep. He has carried out his own part of the covenant with us to the letter. He cared for us to the point of laying down his life for us-literally-thereby freeing us from the clutches of the “Wolf”, ultimate predator, our “Ancient Enemy” Satan himself.

Now, the question is, do we listen to our Shepherd? Always… or when it Suits us or it is convenient, doesn’t cost us much? If and when we do listen, do we follow where he leads? Or do we rather prefer to go where our own whims and caprices, appetites and fancies lead us?

If we listen to our Shepherd and follow where he leads, he promises us eternal life, and we shall never be lost because no one will ever be able to steal us from him. “No one” includes Satan and all the forces of darkness and evil that serve his cause.