The Renegade Sheep

A Reflection on the First Reading for November 24th, 2019:
The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

2 Samuel 5.1-3

All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron, and said, “Look, we are your bone and flesh. For some time, while Saul was king over us, it was you who led out Israel and brought it in. The Lord said to you: ‘It is you who shall be shepherd of my people Israel, you who shall be ruler over Israel.’”

So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron; and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel.

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The Renegade Sheep
Sheep are herd animals. Although sheep are not dangerous, I once met a renegade sheep who was a menace. We lived in rural Scotland at the time and this particular sheep was renowned for chasing folk who bought chocolate at the local grocery store. On one occasion this sheep chased me, intent on the Mars bar I held in my hand. Watching from the safety of our car my husband thought this was highly amusing!

Shepherds and Sheep in the Old and New Testaments
The analogy of a shepherd as a leader of people is found in both the Old and New Testaments. Typology is an ancient way of approaching Scripture in which Old Testament “types,” prefigure a fulfillment in Jesus Christ. From this perspective David can be said to be a “type” of Jesus. Both David in the Old Testament (RSV Samuel 5:2) and Jesus in the New Testament are depicted as shepherds. In fact, Jesus said “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.”(John 10:11) Jesus protects, nurtures and guides His sheep.

"Jesus protects, nurtures and guides His sheep."

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The nature of sheep
I love the analogy of Jesus as a shepherd but before I became a Christian I was never too sure about being compared to a sheep. We don’t often see sheep in Nova Scotia but if you have ever watched them you will know that they are very unintelligent animals. They don’t look where they are going and often meander into danger. They are easily frightened, and completely defenceless to predators. In short they need constant guidance and protection from a shepherd. The renegade sheep outside the grocery store when separated from the herd was alone. With no protection this sheep was vulnerable to danger. I wonder whether the lure of the odd chocolate bar was enough to compensate for the loss of companionship and protection of the herd. I also wonder what caused this particular sheep to be so different from who God made it to be.

Jesus the Good Shepherd
As a Christian I find it very reassuring to be a sheep in God’s fold especially as there are many verses in the New and Old Testament about sheep and shepherds. In Psalm 100:3, the psalmist writes “Know that the Lord is God. It is He that made us and we are His; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” Sheep also feature in Ezekiel 34:31 and of course in Psalm 23. It is interesting to google the myriad of verses in the Bible where humans are compared to sheep and shepherds to God. From a missionary perspective, in Matthew 18:12, Jesus seeks out the one sheep who goes astray and looks to bring others into the sheepfold, (John 10:16). Importantly, under the protection and guidance of Jesus the Good Shepherd and through the Holy Spirit we are also called to bring all people into God’s pasture where they are and always will be loved and forgiven.


​Liz Galsworthy

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