They say, “a picture is worth a thousand words” and certainly the image formed from our liturgy for this Fourth Sunday of Easter, Good Shepherd Sunday, is a prime example. What picture could spur more emotions than that of Jesus holding a sheep or baby lamb? It is perhaps one of the most warm and comforting images of Jesus as our savior, helper, consoler, and friend: “Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, carrying them in his bosom, leading the ewes with care.” (Isaiah 40:11).
This is the reference that Jesus uses for himself as he tries to describe his role in God’s plan to the skeptical Pharisees in the Gospel for today (John 10:1-10). This passage occurs right after Jesus has cured a man blind from birth (John 9:1-41). Since the incident has taken place on the Sabbath the Pharisees begin a debate as to the identity of Jesus because he has supposedly done work on a day mandated for rest. The passage describes it as such: “Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, because he does not keep the sabbath.” But others said, “How can a sinful man do such signs?” And there was a division among them.” (John 9:16).
As he often does in the Gospels, Jesus tries to explain his identity and mission using a parable. Sometimes his message is understood by those listening, but often Jesus must expand on what he has said for them to understand. This is what happens in the story of the Good Shepherd. Jesus uses a figure of speech which describes a gatekeeper opening the gate to a sheepfold for a shepherd whose sheep follow his voice. They will follow none other than their well-known leader and run away from those they do not recognize. They will not follow a stranger.
The crowd reacts to Jesus with confusion: “They did not realize what he was trying to tell them.” (John 10:7)
In response, Jesus comes right out and explains what he means, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture.” (John 10:8-9).
Jesus continues with this discourse for several more verses but in the end the Pharisees still do not know who he is. We are told, “Again there was a division among the Jews because of these words.” (John 10:19). They do not recognize Jesus as the Son of God sent to redeem Israel, nor do they recognize the fact that he is insulting them with this analogy of the Good Shepherd. In sharp contrast to the one who “feeds his flock” and “gathers his lambs,” they are thieves and robbers who “come only to steal and slaughter and destroy” and who “work for pay and have no concern for the sheep.” (John 10:10a, 13).
This contrasting image of a shepherd is one which is also found in the Old Testament beginning first in the Book of Genesis where we see the depiction of God as the Good Shepherd. This is where we hear the patriarch Jacob describe God as “The God who has been my shepherd from my birth to this day” (Genesis 48:15b), as well as “The Shepherd, the Rock of Israel.” (Genesis 49:24).
In the later writings of the Old Testament, most notably the prophetic works of Jeremiah and Ezekiel, we see the analogy used again, but this time in a derogatory manner. Written during the time of the Babylonian Exile (597-538BC), these prophets proclaim the words of the Lord which condemn Israel’s leaders for their apostasy and injustice which have led to the plight of the people of God’s chosen nation.
Jeremiah announces, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, against the shepherds who shepherd my people: You have scattered my sheep and driven them away. You have not cared for them, but I will take care to punish your evil deeds.” (Jeremiah 23:2).
In a similar fashion Ezekiel proclaims, “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who have been pasturing themselves! Should not shepherds pasture the flock? You consumed milk, wore wool, and slaughtered fatlings, but the flock you did not pasture. You did not strengthen the weak nor heal the sick nor bind up the injured. You did not bring back the stray or seek the lost but ruled them harshly and brutally. So, they were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and became food for all the wild beasts. No one looked after them or searched for them.” (Ezekiel 34:2-6).
Although we detect what typifies the harshness of the prophets in these words against Israel, we can also find the hope and comfort of restoration which they often provide in later verses. Jeremiah offers the assurance from God: “I will raise up a shepherd for them so that they need no longer fear or be terrified; none shall be missing. See, days are coming when I will raise up a righteous branch for David; As king he shall reign and govern wisely, he shall do what is just and right in the land.” (Jeremiah 23:4-5).
Likewise, Ezekiel delivers a promise from God: “Look! I myself will search for my sheep and examine them. As a shepherd examines his flock while he himself is among his scattered sheep, so will I examine my sheep. I will appoint one shepherd over them to pasture them, my servant David; he shall pasture them and be their shepherd. I, the LORD, will be their God, and my servant David will be prince in their midst. (Ezekiel 34:11, 23-24).
In the First Reading from today, Peter stands and addresses the crowd in a way that we might imagine Jeremiah or Ezekiel had done in their day. He is passionately committed to his message and speaks for the LORD. He offers a similar condemnation of Israel’s leaders as he preaches to the Jews gathered for the Feast of Pentecost: “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” (Acts 2:40b).
Then he reminds them of the hope for restoration guaranteed by God through the prophets of old: “the promise [that had been] made to you and to your children, and to all those far off.” (Acts 2:39). It is the crucified and risen Jesus who God has made both Lord and Messiah (Acts 2:36): Christ, the Good Shepherd who searches out the lost, brings back the strays, binds up the injured, and heals the sick (Ezekiel 34:16). He is the good shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep so that we might “have life and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10b).
What better way to thank the God of Israel and God, our Father who offers us forgiveness of sins and hope of eternal life though His Son, Jesus than with a psalm that we pray in solidarity with our Jewish brothers and sisters? It is a psalm of acclaim that we sing or say on this day, Good Shepherd Sunday:
The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. In green pastures he makes me lie down; to still waters he leads me; he restores my soul. He guides me along right paths for the sake of his name. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me. You set a table before me in front of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Indeed, goodness and mercy will pursue me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the LORD for endless days. (Psalm 23).
