Nerys writes: I wonder what kind of picture comes to your mind when you hear the words ‘Good Shepherd’? For me it’s a Victorian print which hung in the vestry of the chapel where I went to Sunday School. It was an image of a smiling Jesus in flowing white robes surrounded by cute lambs and flowers – a sugary picture which didn’t convince me even as a child! Growing up with three uncles who were involved in sheep farming, with their weather-beaten faces and calloused hands, I was aware at a young age that shepherding was a physically and mentally demanding, risky and relentless pursuit.
Nerys and her brother with their three uncles and Scott the sheepdog, Summer 1970
Our Gospel passage today, John 10.22-30, reminds us that when Jesus spoke about being the Good Shepherd, he was not using a comforting metaphor. His words were, in fact, controversial and dangerous and led to an attempt by his opponents to stone him to death for blasphemy.
It was the festival of Hanukkah when Jewish people remembered the great victory of the Maccabean freedom fighters, the rededication of the Temple and the establishment of a new royal dynasty which lasted a hundred years. Jesus was walking in Solomon’s Porch, speaking publicly of himself as the Good Shepherd and of other leaders as thieves and brigands. For his Jewish listeners, the meaning of his message would have been crystal clear. From King David’s time, it was often as a shepherd that an ideal king of Israel was pictured and his people as the flock. So, at a time of year when Jewish people would be yearning for a leader who would liberate them once more from oppression, Jesus was talking about himself as their true king, appointed by God. This was shocking enough but Jesus presses on into even more dangerous territory with a glorious and spectacular promise to his ‘sheep’. Those who hear his voice, recognise it as that of their Saviour and follow him, will be protected by him from all evil, even from death itself. Jesus was not only claiming to be the true leader of the Jewish people but also God himself. It is no wonder he was seen by some of them as a threat to be silenced.
In the difficult and uncertain time we live in, there is deep reassurance in the promise that, no matter what our circumstances are, we are safe in the loving hands of God. The two other readings for today which also contain images of the shepherd and the sheep are Psalm 23 and a passage from the Book of Revelation 7.9-17. Read together they remind us of God’s steadfast love and care for us and all his children, throughout our lives and beyond:
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
The one who is seated on the throne will shelter them.
He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.
They will hunger no more, and thirst no more.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff – they comfort me.
The sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
For the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life.
Surely goodness and mercy hall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.
Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honour and power and might be to our God for ever and ever! Amen.
There is also a challenge in these words, as we are called not only to listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd but to make a response as to whether we will follow him and become his hands in the world. This week at St Mary’s we join with many other churches across the world in keeping Vocations Sunday. At the morning service, Cathy Johnston will speak about the new approach to discerning vocations taken by the Scottish Episcopal Church, and at Night Church, Ross Stirling-Young who is being trained for ordained ministry in the Scottish Episcopal Institute, will share the story of his calling. But when we think about vocations, it’s not limited to public ministry in the church. The Good Shepherd calls each one of us to use our gifts in God’s service wherever we are and whatever stage of life we’re at. I invite you to take some time now to prayerfully reflect on your own journey of faith and what the Good Shepherd may be calling you to be or to do.
Loving Shepherd, you call us to follow you.
• Help me to answer your call in my life.
• Enable me to be an encouragement and support to others.
• Guide all who offer themselves for public ministry.
• Bless with insight all who discern the vocations of others.
• Encourage those being formed for ministry, and sustain the staff and students of the Scottish Episcopal Institute.
So may your Church be light to the world, joining you in making your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. Amen
