SHEEP WITHOUT A SHEPHERD
Like a shepherd He feeds his flock
and gathers the lambs in His arms,
holding them carefully close to His heart,
leading them home.
The words of Bob Dufford…a song I heard and sang often when I was in the chapel during my university years. I did not know then, that 40 years later I would be preaching these words, rather than singing these words. Nor did I ever imagine it would be in an on-line service delivered via my lap top computer from my how home.
As a sheep, I had no idea what was in store for me as I set out upon the adventurous path outside the chapel door. I had no idea it would lead me back to the same place…reaching out to my most trusted shepherd, Jesus. Nor did I imagine that anyone would ever offer me a flock to lead as shepherd.
The image and metaphor of sheep and shepherd reach back to the oldest prophets. Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Amos and Joel are but a few in the first testament. We also hear a tremendous amount about sheep and shepherd in our gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John . There are also half a dozen psalms that make use of the same images, phrases and metaphors.
SO is it a big deal to be a sheep without a Shepherd? Or a Shepherd without sheep? Context can be very important. The amount of danger or potential for injury or getting lost matters. Where we are in our life journey can also matter. Thee are times when we are a bit fearless and tend to wander off onto un-trodden and known roads, not caring about the consequences. There are joyous endings, learned lessons and sometimes tragic consequences.
There are times when we must also step out of our sheep suit and take charge as would a shepherd protecting the flock. There are times when we must take on the wolf, for sake of self, for the sake of another. With horrific images of George Floyd being choked to death etched forever upon our hearts and minds, protests, both peaceful and violent, rage across North America. The supposed shepherd or is it actually the big bad wolf in a shepherds suit, continues to hide in his white house.
The word shepherd has the wooly image attached to it. However it also means to care and protect, to safeguard and ensure the wellbeing of each and every member of a flock, large or small. In biblical narratives we often hear of shepherds carrying the lambs, the newborn, the vulnerable.
As a lamb, or as a full grown sheep, when we imagine or believe that we can move through the world flying solo, with no guidance, with no one to keep an eye on us, with no one watching over us, with no restrictions or fences, at some point we may very well run off the rails. Hopefully only a few bruises and scratches and no great harm done to another, or tragic results, injuring both ourselves and others.
Within the pasture, watched over by a good shepherd, the sheep can frolic and run, learn and explore, and should they wander off, the shepherd comes looking, not wanting to sleep until all are accounted for. And so it is with Christ.
Always present, always willing to gather us and embrace, to pick us up when we stumble, to lead us home once again to the safety and shelter of God’s eternal love. This is not to say that we can just hang out, not do anything and be taken care of. There is a relationship between the sheep and a shepherd. Implicit is trust.
The sheep have an expectation that the shepherd will safeguard their well being, and that the love and care is unconditional. We have the same expectation of those with whom we are in relationship. However, like sheep, we do get to choose which path we shall take. That is not to say that we can also be dealt a very difficult hand, with challenging circumstances that place good and healthy decisions far out of reach.
Thus the importance of relying on a good shepherd, a mentor, a guide. Care and compassion, healing the wounded, carrying the vulnerable to ensure they reach safety. Shepherds lead and gather. They bind a flock together with unconditional love that is ever present.
Like a shepherd He feeds his flock
and gathers the lambs in His arms,
holding them carefully close to His heart,
leading them home.
Amen