John 10:11-16
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me, just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. John 10:11-16 (NRSVUE)
She should be home by now. My heart was starting to pound, wondering where our 10-year old daughter might be. She had gone on a bike ride after school with her buddy, Shane, but always made it home in time for dinner. We alerted our neighbors who were starting to worry as well. With each passing hour, visions of worst-case scenarios filled my head. We started scouring the neighborhood and calling people to help.
Until…the neighbors joyfully exclaimed the lost had been found! The daring duo had crossed 40th Street (breaking our rules) and eventually found their way to Shane’s grandparents’ home. At one point, they found themselves at a gas station with only a nickel between them, so bought a couple of Jolly Ranchers to keep from starving. Of course, they didn’t think to tell the cashier they were lost or ask to use the phone. They just left and pedaled aimlessly until they stumbled upon Shane’s relieved grandparents who promptly returned them to their rightful owners. Talk about sheepish grins when we were reunited - they knew they had strayed too far!
Today’s scripture reminds us that a good shepherd can’t prevent bad things from happening or the sheep from straying. But, unlike a disinterested hired hand, a good shepherd cares so deeply, they would lay down their life for their own sheep. As I write this, I just heard Pastor Michael share in a funeral sermon that God is not a “helicopter parent.” We get to choose what we do with our lives. Just like we let our kids go on bike rides. And, when we stray, we know we can always return because we belong to a loving God. The more we know God and accept that all of us belong to God’s precious flock, unconditional love and genuine care just ripples out into the world. Even when the sheep pedal across forbidden busy streets into unknown territory.
Question for Reflection:
- Do you ever ponder how God might feel before you make a poor decision?
Prayer
Loving God, what a wonderful feeling it is to know you love us so much that you made the ultimate sacrifice for us. Help us care that deeply about those we love, even when they stray. Help us to care for those we might not even consider being part of our own flock. Because they really are. We all belong to you. Thank you for being our good shepherd. Amen.
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