Shepherd, Sheep, and the Stranger (2)

In this allegory or "figure of speech" story in John 10, Jesus paints a picture of His framework for ministry. Jesus does not leave ministry definition to us. He defines His ministry and invites us into it. He doesn't want us to rearrange it or tweak it or redefine it. He wants us to discover it and get on board with it, on the ground, in time and space, and in real, meaningful ways. There emerges three works of Jesus in John 10 regarding the sheep.

 

Jesus Identifies His Sheep

Jesus Shepherds His Sheep

Jesus Unifies His Sheep

Imagine a pen full of sheep. On the outside all sheep look pretty much alike. You can't tell by looking at a sheep which one belongs to which shepherd. Cattlemen brand their cows to identify them. Pig farmers tag the ears of the hogs. Jesus calls His sheep. He identifies His sheep by those who respond to His call. Who is listening to Jesus and following Him determines whether they are truly His disciples. In John 8:31 Jesus says, "If you abide in My word you are truly disciples of Mine." Jesus was interested in knowing which sheep belonged to Him and which ones did not. If we switch the word from sheep to Christians we might say that Jesus wants to know who is a Christian (a saved, born again, Holy Spirit filled person) and who is not. Have we become so nervous about such a distinction that we simply allow someone to self-identify. It seems that anyone who claims to be a Christian, we just have to accept as a Christian. This was not Jesus' approach. He identified His own sheep by calling them by name and seeing how they responded to His voice. As His followers we respect this process and know that not all who say "Lord, Lord" are genuine.

 

Jesus also shepherded His sheep. Those who belong to Jesus come under His protection and provision. They are His sheep and He has to take care of them. He watches out for the wolf. He guards against thieves and robbers. He lays down His life for His sheep. He leads them out to find pasture. He is the good shepherd. He does not abuse or take advantage of them (read Ezekiel 34). Jesus has not relinquished His role as Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4). Though He has put shepherds or pastors in charge of His sheep, they are still His sheep and not theirs. Jesus is still the Head of His body, the church. He personally is involved in conducting the business of the kingdom. Our constant orientation must be to seek His will on every matter, speak His words on every occasion, and watch for His direction in every situation.

 

Jesus also unifies His sheep. As the Jews were scattered throughout the nations (Diaspora) and as Jesus tells us there are two sheep folds or flocks, God's eternal purpose is in uniting His people. Men divide and denominate. Jesus unites and centralizes His people under One Shepherd and in One Flock. Men resist this move by God. They did in Jesus' day and we do so today. The business of a church or congregation is not to segregate or to isolate but to participate in the unification process. Our job is to make sure we personally are responding to His voice, and then we seek to be united with others who are listening and following His voice. We cannot do that by staying away from one another. We do that by testing what we think we hear and what others say they hear with the actual voice of the shepherd recorded in His word. Coming near others, focusing on His voice, and through prayer and study, seeking His will together, His purpose  in uniting His sheep can be realized.