One Flock, One Shepherd

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.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.” John 10:7-17 

One Flock, One Shepherd

Look my child and you will see
shepherds are not wealthy ones
nor greedy, selfish caught up
with being first in line always.

The shepherd may lead the flock
most often following behind
gathering up the wayward ones
carrying the tiny exhausted ones.

We often look to high places
for leaders who might look right
yet the shepherd we need and want
is here in among the restless flock.

The most unlikely of families
brought forth a most unlikely savior
strident and loving for vulnerable ones
 awake, watching in darkest nights.