A Shepherd's Sheep

A Reflection on the Gospel for May 12th, 2019:
​Fourth Sunday of Easter

John 10.27-30

Jesus said: “My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”

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When I was growing up and would hear about Jesus’ followers being analogous to sheep, I would turn my nose up at that idea. In my view, sheep were simply mindless and compliant. I thought that they followed with no questions asked in the most vacuous way. Even the term “sheepish” is used to describe a meek individual with a lack of confidence. Considering I thought that that is what it meant to be a “sheep”, I wasn’t very attracted to that idea. I was convinced that I was not a sheep.

Was I ever wrong about that! Today, I now full-heartedly admit that I am a sheep. However, I do not stand by my previous thoughts of what it means to be a sheep; what it means to be a follower of Jesus. To be a follower of God is to be obedient. But, obedience is not a form of weak submission like I used to perceive it to be. Being obedient to God is empowering. It means that we are choosing to live out our true identity in Christ.

"Being obedient to God is empowering. It means that we are choosing to live out our true identity in Christ."

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If sheep wander on their own, they barely stand a chance. If they are out by themselves, they don’t know how they should be living and how to stay alive. They are clueless without the guidance of their shepherd. I think that Jesus actually has quite the sense of humour to refer to us as sheep. Even if we don’t admit it sometimes, we are completely lost without Him. In times where I feel as though life is spiralling out of control and I am drowning in my anxieties, it is usually a time when I have stopped actively following Jesus’ path. When I am compliant to the world. After I realize I have strayed and attempt to regain my place alongside Jesus, I begin to feel more at peace. I begin to feel more joyful. I begin to feel more myself again. 

Sheep are also easily persuaded to stray from their path. It takes hard work and effort to stay on track. But the hard work is worth it. When we are persistent in following God, we receive the gifts that He has promised us. By following our shepherd, we choose to receive these gifts of eternal life, so that we may be safe in His love and never perish. I pray that I may always choose to be an obedient sheep and follow the path that the Lord has intended for me. Amen. ​

Megan Noye

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