Jesus
is picking up on a metaphor that runs through Israel’s history,
the single metaphor that names the relationship and subsequent
history of Israel-that of the Shepherd and sheep. (Cf. Psalm 80.1;
Ezekiel 34, and of course, Psalm 23, et al).
In Ezekiel 34, for example, the prophet denounces power-grabbing,
negligent shepherd-kings who have grossly abused their office,
feeding themselves rather than the sheep. (Or fleecing the flock to
line their personal comforts!)
Now however, the hour has come and the Shepherd personally
intervenes as Jesus reveals his place in the Shepherd/sheep
relationship. The relationship is defined by contrast: not a thief
or bandit.
Jesus fills both the role of shepherd and gate-leading and giving
access to the courtyard; the Lord not only gives life, but is also
the entrance to a new ay of life. [1]
The emperor Tiberius allegedly rebuked a provincial
governor who was about to impose heavy taxes on his subjects
saying that it was the part of a good shepherd “to shear his
flock, not skin it.” Dio Chrysostom tells the emperor Trajan
that the emperor as “shepherd of peoples” is to “oversee,
guard, and protect flocks, not . . . to slaughter, butcher, and
skin them.”[2]
Jesus’ discourse on shepherds and gates may offer a
proclamation connection: exploring how congregations and leaders
can best provide the kind of shepherding and pastoral care that
will nourish yet move the community of faith to new places in
their journey with God.
I just got off the phone with an angry community member. She
was protesting why our congregation had gotten into the
money-making business. “How can you let ________ into your
church when they are a for-profit group simply looking for a
legitimate place to draw people in.” Upon research, we found she
was absolutely right. The organization had approached us under the
guise of providing the community a health service, but in fact,
they were charging exorbitant fees for blood tests, etc. Not
everyone who carries a staff is a shepherd.
For
a homily on the shepherd sheep theme, please see my previous posting
on DPS (see homily section)
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[1] For more information on the
twin-relationships of shepherd and gate, see R.H. Lightfoot, St.
John’s Gospel (London: Oxford University Press, 1956), page
206.
[2] Cited in Warren
Carter, New Proclamation (Minneapolis:
Fortress Press, 2002), page 38.
