The Good Shepherd

 "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. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.’ Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. 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. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.’ John 10:1-18

The good shepherd image is often an idyllic image, a gentle lamb being carried by a gentle man. Caring for sheep and keeping them safe is a grueling, 24 hour a day job. Very few of us could even imagine the work of just getting them enough water and food entails, let alone keeping them safe from thieves, wolves and illness. The work of shearing and birthing are small parts of the overall labor. I couldn't do it. Yet Jesus tells us he is the good shepherd, who acts for us 24/7, who watches for harm and knows us by name. What a gift to have a truly loving and fierce shepherd for us all, since we wander away and fight that care.

Loving Creator, shepherd of all

you feed us, clothe us and care for us

wen we are waking and sleeping

your eyes are ever watching over us.

We act like willful, foolish children

breaking out and going our own way

turning from you heartfelt calls

wandering from danger to danger.

Help us to be grateful for this flock

the gates and the steady care which enfolds us

help us to listen and always return to you

good shepherd, help us be your flock today. Amen.