The Good Shepherd

Reflection

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." Jesus takes up the ancient image of God as Israel's shepherd and applies it directly to himself. But he adds something no earthly shepherd would ever do. A hired hand, Jesus says, runs when the wolf comes, because the sheep are not his own. The good shepherd does the opposite: he stands between the wolf and the flock, and he lays down his life. This is love defined not by sentiment but by sacrifice. We throw the word "love" around easily, but Jesus shows us its true measure. The good shepherd does not merely feel affection for the sheep; he dies for them. The protection of the flock costs him everything. There is deep security in this. If your shepherd were a hired hand, you could never be sure he would stay when things got dangerous. But a shepherd who has already laid down his life for you has settled the question of his commitment forever. He will not run. He has proven, in the most costly way imaginable, that you are not disposable to him. And later in the chapter Jesus says something astonishing: "I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again." He lays down his life freely, and he takes it up again in resurrection. The shepherd who died for the sheep is alive, still gathering, still guarding, still calling his own by name.