Christological Titles – Good Shepherd
Homily
Dr. James Dunn, the surgeon of the 109th Pennsylvania Volunteers, returning home after caring for the wounded during the battle of Ceder Mountain, a conflict that was engaged on August 8, 1862, told his wife, Temperance, about the heroism of a woman whom he met for the first time, Clara Barton. Dr. Dunn related how this nurse preformed battlefield surgery using only a pocket knife. He told of the time a bullet passed through the sleeve of her coat as she served water to a stricken soldier. He could not comprehend her stoicism as she held patients who were enduring amputations, absent of chloroform.
After describing the exploits of this remarkable woman, the physician asked his wife, “Now what do you think of Miss Barton?” Mrs. Dunn thoughtfully responded, “In my feeble estimation, General McClellan, with all his laurels, sinks into insignificance beside the true heroine of the age, the angel of the battlefield.” From that day forward Clara Barton had a title, “Angel of the Battlefield.” Or simply, to most, her calling card was “Professional Angel.”
We are to be angels of mercy. We are the nurse practitioners in the name of Jesus, ready to place a soothing salve on any wound, be it physical, emotional, or spiritual. And as a battlefield is strewed with friend and foe alike, we are to make no distinctions to whom we offer assistance. We care for each, not as if the individual was our own, for in the name of Christ he or she is our own.
Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen was a household name in the 1950s with his primetime Tuesday evening program Life Is Worth Living. He opened his autobiography Treasure In Clay with these words: “When the record of human life is set down, there are three pair of eyes who see it in a different light. There is the life (1) As I saw it; (2) As Others See It; (3) As God Sees It.”
The question is, “How will God view your life?” Will God view you as one who always had good intentions, but did nothing; or, will God see you as a doer of the Word graciously assisting other people? Remember what James wrote, “Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith.” (James 2:18) Action, service, work – that is what demonstrates our faith to the community.
George Whitefield was an Englishman who, along with Jonathan Edwards, was a part of the First Great Awakening in America which lasted during the decades of the 1730s and 40s. He is also noted for his humanitarian service of the establishment of orphanages. Though, he was not always a man of the cloth. That transformation only occurred after, as a young man, he read the Christian classic The Life of God in the Soul of Man by Henry Scougal. There are several sentences from this book that displays what it means to be a participant in the shepherding ministry of Jesus, drawing a distinction between saying and doing:
When have said all that we can, the secret mysteries of a new nature and divine life can never be sufficiently expressed; language and words can never reach them; nor can they be truly understood but by those souls that are enkindled within, and awakened unto the sense and relish spiritual things: “There is a spirit in man, and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth this understanding.” The power and life of religion may better be expressed in actions than words, because actions are more lively things, and do better represent the inward principle whence they proceed.
The concept of shepherding is prominent throughout the scriptures, always depicted with the concept of service. In the Old Testament God is portrayed as the shepherd of Israel. Moses, as a shepherd boy, employed the same talents in leading the sheep of his fold through the Exodus journey. This image is duplicated for so many of the great leaders of the Jewish people. The patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were shepherds. David employed his skill as a shepherd to defeat Goliath. The task of the shepherd is one of servitude, which was mimicked by Jewish spiritual leaders.
Books have been written on all of the salient tasks and skills of a shepherd, paralleling the expectations of Christian discipleship. This has become most prominent in literature regarding Jesus. Having referred to himself as the “Good Shepherded,” he underscored appropriateness of this imagery. This was then appropriated by the first century authors, most notably Peter and Paul, in highlighting the shepherding ministry of the church. Peter conveyed this message with these words, “For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.” (I Pet 2:25)
Juxtaposition of a few central teachings of Jesus with the requirements of the occupation of sheepherding, will accentuate the meaning of a Christian’s calling to sacrificial service. Recorded in the tenth chapter of John’s gospel is the best overview that Jesus provides of his self-understanding of fulfilling the role of being the Good Shepherd.
A shepherd would remain with each sheep in the flock for a lifetime, developing an eight-to-nine-year relationship. In that time the shepherd would come to know each sheep by name and the sheep would recognize its particularly shepherd’s voice, responding to none other. “He calls his own sheep by name.” (3c) “The sheep follow him, for they know his voice.” (4c) Christian service is very personal and intimate.
A shepherd would always lead his flock, never following behind. “He goes before them and the sheep follow him.” (4b) The shepherd would be the first one to pass through dangerous mountain crevasses. The shepherd would know where the scare grazing land could be found and he also knew where the few watering troughs were located. The shepherd knew how far the sheep could journey without becoming too weary, especially when the ewes were with young. The shepherd was a conscientious, knowledgeable, and benevolent leader.
“I am the gate for the sheep.” (7d) At night the sheep were always paced in an encircled closure. This could be a cave or a make shift coral of gathered bushes. There would only be a single opening, and the shepherd would always sleep at the opening. A member of the flock could not escape without awakening the caretaker; an animal of prey could not enter without confronting the protector. Ministry requires constant vigilance.
As the sheep entered the encampment for the evening the shepherd would hold his rod low across the narrow entrance. Each seep would therefore have to pass under the rod. In so doing, the shepherd could examine each one for injury. That is the picture that Ezekiel presents when he hears God say, “I will make you pass under the rod.” (Ezek 20:37) It is a portrait of God’s loving care for his people. The same devotion displayed by Jesus throughout his public ministry. We are to be compassionate, sincerely concerned about each individual within our charge.
Shepherding was dangerous work, not as tranquil as recalled from our Sunday school literature. The wolf, hyena, leopard, panther, bear, and lion were the animals that preyed upon the sheep. The rod and the sling were the shepherd’s only means to ward off these vicious creatures. Thieves and brigands were common foes, often attacking a shepherd in small gangs. “The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.” (11b) In service to the Lord, there is no ceiling to the sacrifice that may be expected. Thankfully, most of us need not endure such a burden, but if confronted it is expected.
“I am the good shepherd.” (11a) This is one of the most forthright statements Jesus makes regarding his earthly pilgrimage. It is one that we must take to heart and emulate to the best of our ability. It is not the image of a passive individual, for ministry requires courage. It compels perseverance, always remaining attuned to the assigned task. This is balanced with a gentle spirit, perceptive of the physical, emotional, and spiritual depravity that everyone can succumb to.
In Latin the word “pastor” means “shepherd.” It came from the same base that produced pascere which means to “feed” or “pasture.” A pastor is an individual who shepherds others, caring for their most basic needs. Traditionally in the church the position of pastor is rightfully held by the ordained clergy. This does not preclude the laity from being pastoral in relationship to others.
As shepherds, let us go forth with the charge of John Wesley, who was the eighteenth-century founder of Methodism, when he embedded into soul of the denomination this mantra: “I look on all the world as my parish; thus far I mean, that, in whatever part of it I am, I judge it meet, right, and my bounden duty, to declare unto all that are willing to hear, the glad tidings of salvation”
The world as my parish