The scene in today’s gospel occurs as the Lord’s passiontide is getting closer and closer… and in these days He seems strongly interested in developing the theme of who we are and what it takes to truly belong to Him. This is often hard news, but not bad news, for His hearers. Right before this scene, the Pharisees are stubbornly and confusedly asking, “Are we also blind?” Sure, they are able to see, but do not want to see – hence their guilt. So maybe today we can try to WANT to see a little more clearly.
In ancient Palestine, a sheepfold was typically a stone wall enclosure with one single entryway, meant to dissuade thieves and predators. In those days it was common for several flocks to rest in the same sheepfold at night, with one lookout (the gatekeeper) on duty. At dawn, the shepherd would return to call his sheep, and would keep calling so they could follow HIS voice out into verdant pasture. Only the rightful shepherds would be admitted by the designated gatekeeper. It was even possible that the gate itself was a human one, as in the photo here.
As His metaphor begins, Jesus possibly implies that He Himself is the gatekeeper – whereas church leaders are ordinary shepherds, OR He means that the Father is the gatekeeper, giving The Shepherd access to the sheep: The Father, who sends His Son into the world, is the Opener of the gate.
And then, as good teachers often do, Jesus begins the message again with new words. Now He says He is the door itself – church leaders are ordinary shepherds, and again, that He is the good shepherd – the high priest, the highest shepherd.
That Jesus, the Lord of all creation, the very best of shepherds, would call us each by name – even as we need protection from our own shortcomings, brokenness, and general sheepy-ness — is a mark of intimacy and identity. This kind of closeness may shock us, but truly it should not surprise us: This same rescuing God has been personally calling us into His heart for ages. Let’s remember Isaiah 45:1-3:
But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, Jacob, and formed you, Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine. When you pass through waters, I will be with you; through rivers, you shall not be swept away. When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned, nor will flames consume you. For I, the Lord, am your God, the Holy One of Israel, your savior.
While surely part of the Lord’s message here is for church leaders to imitate our BEST Shepherd and thus to be good shepherds, another portion of the call is for us all to be good sheep: to not be distracted by the other voices, to know His voice for sure, and to allow ourselves to humbly be led by Him into holy abundance, perfect joy, and intimate love.
– Marian Bart