Other Sheep

Jesus meddling again. (Or speaking the truth.)

Jesus’ use of the image of a sheep, shepherd, and sheep pen is nothing new for Israel. It would be quite familiar to pretty much everyone listening what he’s talking about, if not because the Hebrews scriptures do so extensively, also because sheep husbandry was prevalent. The prophet Micah used the image of a sheep pen as that place where God will gather the remnants of Israel together once again.

But what Jesus says regarding other sheep is indeed a new revelation and might be the cause for the division referenced at the end of today’s passage.

John 10:11-21

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. When the hired hand sees the wolf coming, he leaves the sheep and runs away. That’s because he isn’t the shepherd; the sheep aren’t really his. So the wolf attacks the sheep and scatters them. He’s only a hired hand and the sheep don’t matter to him.

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own sheep and they know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. I give up my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that don’t belong to this sheep pen. I must lead them too. They will listen to my voice and there will be one flock, with one shepherd.

“This is why the Father loves me: I give up my life so that I can take it up again.”

There was another division among the Jews because of Jesus’ words. Many of them said, “He has a demon and has lost his mind. Why listen to him?” Others said, “These aren’t the words of someone who has a demon. Can a demon heal the eyes of people who are blind?”

Prayer

God,

Thank you for another day.
For light and life and food and friends.
For air and dirt and water and birds.
For the responsibilities and opportunities before me today.
Be with me in all of it.

By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.