Reflections
May 3, 2009
May 3, 2009
John 10:1-42 is part of what some scholars call "the sayings tradition" related to the teachings of Jesus. From the prophets, Isaiah and Jeremiah, to the Psalms and on into the Gospels of the Christian Testament, the "Good Shepherd" has been a symbol of Holy leading. While most of us have little, if any, experience with sheep or shepherding, we probably have some knowledge of the love and care which can occur between humans and animals. When we lived in Riverside, Sue drove a diesel powered automobile, when I was outside I could hear her coming. More interesting was the scene of watching our cat, Tigger, come racing down the street to meet her as she pulled in the driveway. Not the sound of her voice, but the sound of her car let him know she was home and life was good. In other circumstances, I have watched with a certain amount of wonder as people talked with their dogs, cats, birds and even horses. While I have been told that animals cannot understand human speech, I seemed to experience otherwise.
John, in this chapter, is making a point of sharing the difference between Jesus and the "hireling." For the hireling is simply watching and has no depth of care for the flock as witnessed by the quick exit when trouble comes in the form of a wolf.
If you would talk to a rancher, he or she would tell you that sheep are difficult animals to watch. They are easily distracted, vulnerable to prey and liable to wander off at a moment's notice. Which is why shepherds use staffs to catch the sheep, pulling them back into the fold, or throw rocks to keep the sheep headed in the right direction. Shepherds call to their flocks and if necessary go out and carry them back. Sheep don't mean to get lost, move in harm's way, or be out of range of the shepherd's voice, yet after all they're just sheep. Sheep will always need a Good Shepherd. Even in the twenty-first century, it is a metaphor that holds.
John, in this chapter, is making a point of sharing the difference between Jesus and the "hireling." For the hireling is simply watching and has no depth of care for the flock as witnessed by the quick exit when trouble comes in the form of a wolf.
If you would talk to a rancher, he or she would tell you that sheep are difficult animals to watch. They are easily distracted, vulnerable to prey and liable to wander off at a moment's notice. Which is why shepherds use staffs to catch the sheep, pulling them back into the fold, or throw rocks to keep the sheep headed in the right direction. Shepherds call to their flocks and if necessary go out and carry them back. Sheep don't mean to get lost, move in harm's way, or be out of range of the shepherd's voice, yet after all they're just sheep. Sheep will always need a Good Shepherd. Even in the twenty-first century, it is a metaphor that holds.
Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601
