“I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me” (John 10:14).
Jesus, distinguished himself as the Good Shepherd who cared for his sheep instead of “thieves and robbers” who sought to harm the sheep. Nor is Jesus simply a “hired man” who has no personal investment in the flock and will abandon the flock at the mere sighting of a wolf. In referencing, “thieves and robbers and hired men” Jesus continued his calling out those Pharisees from chapter nine. Those who did not listen to his voice and those who were not leading God’s sheep with care.
The imagery of the shepherds is an echo back to past abuses such as in the time of Ezekiel who spoke out against those leaders who had “been pasturing themselves”, and who failed to “strengthen the weak nor heal the sick nor bind up the injured”. Thus the sheep of God’s flock, “were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and became food for all the wild beasts. They were scattered and wandered over all the mountains and high hills; over the entire surface of the earth my sheep were scattered. No one looked after them or searched for them” (Ezekiel 34:2-10).
God, the eternal Shepherd, spoke through Ezekiel and said: “I will take my sheep out of their hand and put a stop to their shepherding my flock, so that these shepherds will no longer pasture them” (Ezekiel 34:10). Jesus is the fulfillment of Ezekiel’s prophecy. Jesus is the Son who God his Father sent to do just that. Jesus has come to gather the lost sheep and bring them to green pastures, and lead them with his voice to eternal life.
Even today, we have experienced so much abuse of power and corruption, self-seeking and self-aggrandizement, that we are weary and have lost faith in our leaders and institutions. Yet, all is not lost. Jesus is still among his flock and calling his sheep to himself. Let us not be deaf to the call of the Good Shepherd because of the “robbers and thieves” and “hired men” that have abused or abandoned the sheep.
Let us listen only for the voice of the Good Shepherd. We learn to know and identify his voice when we make the time to be still and listen. When we resist the temptation to run away or react out of fear. When we resist impulsive responses or seek immediate gratification, and are instead patient and trust in the voice of the Good Shepherd who has our best interest and intentions in mind and will care for us. Jesus will not harm us, because he loves us.
We may have been wounded or hurt when we have gone astray or even when we thought we were safe in the sheep pen. We can trust Jesus when he seeks to come close. Unlike the hired hand who will bolt at the first sign of trouble, Jesus is willing to stand with us and give his life for us. When wounded, his healing may initially provide an increase in pain and suffering for a time, as healing often does before we get better, but as we remain close to him, his healing balm will prevail. We will experience forgiveness, healing, renewal, and wholeness.
Jesus loves us, knows us, and calls each one of us by name. Mary Magdalene, in her grief, didn’t recognize Jesus when she met him after his resurrection, but when he called her by name she recognized his voice. May we, like Mary, remain still long enough, no matter the cause of our suffering, so that we can allow the Good Shepherd to come close and listen for his voice amidst the cacophony of so many other voices, robbers, and hired hands. Being patient and only moving with the Good Shepherd when he calls our name. Each time we follow his lead, we will grow in greater intimacy and unity with him.
Photo: Allowing ourselves to be quiet and still helps us to distinguish between the voices that seek to distract, divert, and tempt us away from the voice of Jesus who seeks to lead us to experience his love and peace.
Spiritual Stepping Stones