The Good Shepherd

A most consoling representation of the care and protection God gives us is something beautiful that almost everyone sees in holy pictures. Against the dusk of the gathering night, Jesus leads His sheep into the one fold and stays watch. Jesus explicitly calls Himself the "good" or "model" shepherd of whom He has been speaking. In other words, He is the "true" or perfect Shepherd. "The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." According to a commentary, this is not an exaggeration of the analogue to fit the occasion. The Israelite shepherd frequently risked his life to save his sheep. In a far more significant way, of course, Jesus truly lays down His life for the sheep of God.

However, we know that Jesus is the true Shepherd in another way: He knows and is known by the sheep of God. "I know them, and they follow me." Then, as the Shepherd of the people of God, Jesus’ concern for the sheep goes far beyond. "I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold." Others, too, who are unbelievers have to be brought into salvation together with the sheep who are gathered in His fold.

Then Jesus affirms such loving care: "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish . . . . no one can take them out of the Father’s hand." (Jn. 10:29-30). See what singular love the Father has for us: Not only are we called children of God, but we really are. Christian sonship with God is fundamental in the relationship of sheep and Good Shepherd. What great love the Father has given us as children of God. "In the truest and most absolute sense," runs a biblical commentary, "God’s gift of love has been the gift of His only Son as Savior of the world. It is this gift that has made it possible that we be called children of God, and we are." The Christian is now the child of God, yet there is a fulfillment toward which he looks, in which his configuration to God will be completed . . . And this sonship is what makes us sheep of the true fold, the one fold of the Church with but one Shepherd, Christ.

The Good Shepherd takes up life not only for Himself but also for all who live through His work of salvation. That is why, God’s pasturage of His sheep is only through Christ. The crucifixion and resurrection are the two aspects of the glorification of Christ. In his exaltation, Christ takes up life working out the entire freedom of His obedience, "no one took it from me". This is the guarantee that He as the Good Shepherd will gather us into one fold, one flock, under one SHEPHERD.

Where are we at the moment? Are we within the true fold, the one fold where Christ is Good Shepherd? In these times of false preachings under the guise of being the Christ and doing Christ’s work, we have to be wary so we do not go into wrong by-ways and enter other sheepfolds. We have also to guard that the wolves do not enter the gate to pray upon the sheep of God. But to follow Christ, the Good Shepherd, wherever He leads, there the true fold is: there His goodness and care will follow us.

Sunday Easter Week 4 Jn 10:27-30