The second of the passages of today’s Bible lessons speaks to us about a shepherd. The good shepherd is willing to give up his own life for the safety of the sheep. Unlike the hired hand - who in the face of a dangerous encounter, may very well leave the sheep defenseless in order to protect himself - the good shepherd will defend to the death each sheep in the flock. This message is quite visible simply in the reading of these verses.
But we miss a major point here, because the selected lectionary reading omits this second point which Jesus wasmaking. We have to back up and see both issues which Jesus addresses. We need to read verses 1 – 5, and also 7 – 10, to fully understand what Jesus was trying to convey.
“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 they hear his voice. Her calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all of 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.”
These words help us to understand a little better the difference between the “Good Shepherd” and the “Hired Hand.” Who is the gatekeeper, but God? God opens the gate, which allows the shepherd to go in and call out his sheep, who respond and follow the shepherd, because the know his voice, and they feel safe in his presence. And though the sheep make also know the voice of the hired hand, in the presence of the Shepherd, his voice will be followed, and not that of the hired hand. In the absence of the shepherd, the hired hand becomes the voice of comfort to the sheep, but unless the hired hand also becomes like the shepherd, his voice will only lead the sheep when he himself is being led. In the face of danger, or when a “better offer” comes along, the hired hand will leave without regard for the safety of the sheep.
We too often assume that any kind of reference to “evil behavior” is a reference about the Scribes and Pharisees with whom Jesus was often at odds. And Jesus did frequently used the Pharisees as “bad examples.” But the words, “a thief and a bandit,” are meant to represent anyone who does not follow the path of God. Those who mislead the sheep or leave them unattended, are no better than “a thief and a bandit."
The second portion of the unread passage is this: “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.”
Jesus is the gate. God sent Jesus to “open up” so that the sheep may come in and go out in safety and find pasture. The thief comes only for selfish intent, for selfish desires, for personal gain. Jesus comes that the sheep may have gain, and have gain in abundance. Jesus sacrificed himself for the safety of the sheep. He gave up his life that the sheep might find abundant life.
If we fail to see this connection between being the “good Shepherd” and also being the “gate,” we miss the dual purpose for which Jesus lived among humanity. He came to show us the way, to bring us the light, to tell us the Good news, and in the very act of doing this, he also became the way, and the light, and the good news. By him we are led into the sheepfold of God, from which we had strayed; and through him, we are reunited with the Eternal Shepherd, our God.
Amen.