EASTER IV
May 8, 2022
“Hard, Dirty, and Holy”
This Sunday is informally designated as Good Shepherd Sunday in many churches, and it can be easy to drop back to the idealized Sunday School image of Jesus the Good Shepherd. Have you ever noticed how depictions of Jesus carrying a rescued little lamb look so fresh and clean? The lamb in Jesus’ arms is snowy white, and our Lord’s robes look fresh and clean — even his sandals aren’t dirty! We urban 21st century folks may not know much about sheep, but we aren’t totally ignorant about agriculture and livestock.
It isn’t a bad idea to do a reality check at this point, because the truth is that sheep herding is not at all sweet and gentle; rather, the hours are long, the work is tiring, and you definitely get dirty! Although sheep as a source of both wool and food was an important part of the economy in ancient times, shepherds themselves were not highly regarded by those who didn’t have to get their hands dirty making a living. Shepherds had to be tough, sturdy, hard-working men, as they moved their flocks to safe and abundant pastures, while also on guard against thieves and predators.
As we’ve followed the life and ministry of Jesus , his teachings and interactions with people, we see a mix of plain-spokenness and metaphorical, almost poetic language. Some of his parables left his listeners puzzled and confused; others taught lessons so clearly you couldn’t miss the point even if you tried. An account in the Gospel of John provides a mix of these qualities, as Jesus is using the most common, everyday imagery but the disciples have difficulty following it. So he re-tells his point, being more specific and elaborating on it as well, and here is where we learn of our Lord’s promise to care for and protect us because his dedication is like that of a shepherd caring for his sheep. Once again, the everyday and commonplace is made holy as it is done in the love Christ has for us all.
“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” (John 10:14-16)
As we reflect on these images, we can see them as descriptions of Jesus’ ministry, and it’s apparent that it, too, was a hard, dirty job. People demanded so much of him, crying out, “Heal me, heal my loved one, I’m hungry, I’m poor, I’m frightened, I’m worried, I don’t know where to turn.” And every day he healed, fed, comforted, loved, reassured, and taught those around him of God’s endless love and forgiveness. These lessons of love and compassion have called generation after generation to do the hard and dirty jobs, reflecting the love and service of our Lord.
Grateful to be part of the flock,
Your friend in Christ,
Mary Rogers