The shepherd calls his sheep
The expansive, unifying, and secure nature of God's people called and gathered
By Ron Bruni
Jesus uses the shepherd and sheep metaphor in His teachings for several profound reasons, deeply rooted in the cultural context of His audience and the theological traditions of the Old Testament. Sheep are known for being vulnerable, lacking direction, and needing constant guidance and protection. Jesus uses this idea to illustrate our spiritual condition: like sheep, people are prone to wander, are defenseless against many dangers, and need someone to guide, protect, and provide for them.
Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Acts 11:19-26
John 10:22-30
Eastertide is a festal period in the Christian liturgical year that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It begins on Easter Sunday and lasts 50 days, concluding with Pentecost Sunday. Having been celebrated since the earliest centuries of Christianity, the 50-day period mirrors the Jewish counting of the Omer, the span between Passover and Shavuot. The number 50 is significant as it represents completeness and fulfillment. The 50 days of Easter are traditionally celebrated as a single unbroken "great Lord's day," emphasizing the joy in the victory of Christ's resurrection.
The readings of our presentation today are from Acts, chapter 11, Psalm 87, and John's gospel chapter 10, and come during the fourth week of Eastertide. They have as their unifying theme the expansive, unifying, and secure nature of God's people called and gathered by the voice of the Shepherd, Jesus Christ.
In our first reading of Acts, we see how the word of the Lord is rapidly spreading through the surrounding areas following the martyrdom of St. Stephen. They traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, initially sharing the message of Jesus only with Jews. Some believers from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to Greeks (Gentiles) in Antioch, proclaiming the good news about Jesus. This marked a significant step in the outreach of the gospel to non-Jews. When the church in Jerusalem heard about the new believers in Antioch, they sent Barnabas to encourage and support them.
His presence led to even more people joining the faith. Recognizing the need for more leadership, Barnabas went to Tarsus to find Saul and brought him to Antioch. Together, they taught the new believers for a whole year. It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians. The term likely originated as a label given by outsiders combining the word in Greek for Christ with a Latin suffix indicating that followers of Christ. Initially, it may have carried a tone of mockery or derision, but eventually, it became a badge of identity for believers.
This passage marks the beginning of Antioch's role as a central base for missionary activity in the early church. Many future missionary journeys will be launched from here, especially those led by Paul. The outreach to Greeks and Antioch represents a significant shift in the early church's mission, embracing the Gentile world and fulfilling Jesus's command to take the gospel to all nations. This passage underscores the church's adaptability, inclusiveness, and the pivotal role of leaders like Barnabas and Saul in nurturing new believers and expanding the faith.
Our gospel reading, John 10:22-30, takes place during the festival of Dedication, known today as Hanukkah. Jesus is walking in Solomon's Colonnade, a place in the temple rich with history and meaning. This is not just any location; it was associated with judgment and justice, where God’s people gathered with expectation and longing. Imagine the scene, the air crisp, hearts full of questions, and Jesus standing in their midst, ready to reveal the heart of God. The people pressed in, desperate for clarity: How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly!
Jesus’s answer cuts through the confusion: “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in My father’s name testify about Me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice so; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life and they will never perish.”
In this reading, Jesus continues the metaphor from earlier in the chapter, describing himself as the Shepherd and his followers as sheep. The passage culminates with Jesus's declaration: “I and the Father are one.” The statement asserts a unity of purpose and, as understood by his hearers, a claim to divine identity, leading to further controversy and an attempt to stone him in the following verses. Jesus's claim to be one with the Father directly asserts his divinity, not just a statement of agreement or cooperation. The crowd's reaction (in the following verses) shows they understood this is a claim to equality with God. Thus, today's gospel is a pivotal passage where Jesus, amidst growing opposition, affirms his divine identity and the unbreakable security of his followers. Through the imagery of the Shepherd and the sheep, he emphasizes the personal relationship he has with his disciples. He assures them of eternal life, grounded in the Son and Father's unity and power.
The fourth Sunday of Easter is particularly significant because it is traditionally known as "Good Shepherd Sunday." Today, the church focuses on the image of Jesus as the good Shepherd, drawing from the Gospel readings in John 10. This theme is consistent across all three liturgical cycles, with the gospel always centering on Jesus's role as the good Shepherd. The image of God as the Shepherd of Israel appears throughout the Old Testament (e.g., Psalm 23, Ezekiel 34, Isaiah 40:11). By calling Himself the "Good Shepherd," Jesus was identifying Himself with God's promised care and leadership, fulfilling prophecies that God Himself would shepherd His people.
Jesus uses the shepherd and sheep metaphor in His teachings for several profound reasons, deeply rooted in the cultural context of His audience and the theological traditions of the Old Testament. Shepherding was a common occupation in ancient Palestine, and Jesus' listeners were intimately familiar with the daily realities of sheep and their dependence on a shepherd. This made the metaphor instantly relatable and vivid for His audience. Sheep are known for being vulnerable, lacking direction, and needing constant guidance and protection. Jesus uses this idea to illustrate our spiritual condition: like sheep, people are prone to wander, are defenseless against many dangers, and need someone to guide, protect, and provide for them.
In ancient times, sheepfolds had a single entry point, often guarded by the shepherd, who would sometimes lie across the opening at night. The gate was both the means of protection and the only legitimate way for sheep to enter and find safety, nourishment, and rest. So when Jesus says I am the gate: whoever enters through me will be saved, he means that salvation, reconciliation with God, and entry into the community of God’s people are possible only by faith in Jesus himself — his person, his teachings, and his sacrificial work.
Recall that earlier in John’s Gospel, John the Baptist identifies Jesus as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” Jesus does not use this title for himself in the Gospels, but it is used by John the Baptist to identify him. John's dual depiction of Jesus as the Lamb of God and the good Shepherd reveals the profound unity of Jesus’s mission: sacrificial atonement and compassionate leadership. Though seemingly paradoxical, these titles are complementary and deeply rooted in biblical theology. As the Lamb, Jesus's death atones for sin, removing the barrier between God and humanity. As a resurrected Shepherd, he guides, intercedes, and sustains his flock. As the early church father St. Augustine wrote, “he is both the sacrifice and the priest, the Lamb and the shepherd.”
We live in a world filled with countless voices clamoring for our attention, each promising meaning, security, and direction. Yet, Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me.” This is not a distant theological concept: it is a living reality. The good Shepherd speaks, and those who belong to him recognize his voice above the din of the world. He calls us by name, inviting us into a relationship of trust and obedience. But let’s be honest — sometimes, in the chaos of life, it is hard to tune our hearts to his voice. Still, the promise stands: he knows and leads us, even when we struggle to listen. Jesus doesn’t just call us — he holds us.
“I give them eternal life and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” This is the unwavering assurance that, once you are his, nothing, no real hardship, no temptation, no power of hell, can pry you from his loving grip. We are safe, not because of our own strength, but because of the strength and faithfulness of the shepherd. Even when the world rages and the enemy tries to steal our peace, Jesus declares that we are eternally secure in him.
Jesus’s words are not just for the crowds in Solomon’s colonnade. He is the shepherd who knows your name, sees your struggles, and promises to hold you fast. The invitation is deeply personal. Will you trust him to lead, protect, and give you a life that never ends? Lord Jesus, tune our hearts to hear your voice above all others, give us faith to trust your promise, encourage us to follow wherever you lead. Hold as fast in your love and make us bold to invite others into the safety and joy of your fold.