In our gospel reading for today, Jesus is approached by a group of Jews looking for more proof that he is the Messiah, as if the miracles Jesus has already done aren't proof enough. And Jesus recognizes that it's not a lack of proof that is holding this group back from following him – that's just the convenient excuse. What's really holding them back, is that they can't handle following a shepherd. Their tendency, like ours, is to act not like sheep, but instead to act like cattle....
Jesus says in our gospel reading, “My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me.” And our first reading today gives a great example of a sheep...named Peter. Peter is faced with a situation that he saw his shepherd handle before – a beloved member of the community has died, just like Jairus' daughter died in Mark chapter 5. And Peter is willing to do exactly what Jesus did – he kicked all the mourners out of the house, he prayed, and then he commanded the dead person to rise, using the same word Jesus used, “Talitha, cum.” Peter recognized his shepherd's voice, and he followed.
The group of Jews who approach Jesus in the temple in our gospel reading have no intention of following Jesus. And to justify it to themselves, they make it sound like Jesus has not fully validated his claim to be the Messiah. But really, the issue is that as Jews, they were used to a religion that treated them like cows INSTEAD of sheep. They had all of the various laws of Moses and all the additional laws of the rabbis to fence them in. They had the voices of the prophets to SHOUT at them for discipline. And they had the Pharisees as their role models and personal trainers – to prod them into following the Pharisees' own version of righteousness. “My sheep hear my voice?”, said those Jews, “PLEASE. We're looking for a REAL leader, a REAL Messiah. One who can keep the herd fully controlled. This shepherd stuff will never work for people like us.”
From our twenty-first century perspective, Jesus' method of shepherding is very foreign to US, as well. We're used to seeing fences for cattle on every quarter section. And this reflects how WE are used to being treated by the world – fenced in – stuck in the same job to pay the same bills which support the same hobbies which give us a break from the same rat-race...for 40 or 50 years – no escape possible – don't get yourself cut on that barbed wire. And Jesus says listen for my voice and follow me? There must be a fence fencing me in somehow. And that's an excuse that will work just fine!
We are also used to the shouts of the stockyard, as well as being shouted AT by the world. It's an attempt to intimidate us and control us. Buy this! Don't be racist! Lose weight! Shrink your carbon footprint! Look at me! But the voice of Jesus doesn't scream, in fact you actually have to put in effort to hear him over the screaming of the world. And Jesus says listen for my voice and follow me? I can't quite make out what you're saying, Jesus. Yup, there's another excuse that will work nicely!
We're also used to using prods – to driving the cattle by force wherever you want them. And we're used to the world driving US with prods, too – through the clever inventions of addictions, compulsions, and obsessions. It doesn't matter that there's a blizzard in progress, I'm being prodded to go to town for a case of beer. I don't care if the rent money is almost spent, I'm being prodded to play this VLT until I break even. I know it's 3 am and I have to go to work in four hours, but I'm being prodded to watch this next video. And Jesus says listen for my voice and follow me? He must not be serious about wanting me to go that way, or he would use his own kind of prod. Yup, that excuse will work fine, too!
But then again, if we as cows are not willing to follow the shepherd Jesus, any excuse we want to come up with will work. Blame it all on Jesus' old-fashioned methods of shepherding, if you want to. No fences, no screaming, no prods, - just a gentle voice, and a call to follow. What kind of leadership is that?
It's a leadership that sees us as individuals and not objects. It's a leadership that sees us protected and not controlled. It's a leadership that wants to see our growth as people and not just what we can produce. Jesus gives us every chance to make our own free choice – follow...or not.
And Jesus backs up his call to follow with the promise of Good Shepherd care. Jesus says, “I know my sheep, and NO ONE is going to snatch them out of my hand.” Not the lies and tricks of Satan, not the seduction of the world, not even death itself can separate us from our shepherd. Jesus lays down his life for his sheep on the cross for their forgiveness and their security. Jesus guides his sheep, personally, whenever they have to walk through the valley of the shadow of death, or whatever other ordeal they must face. And the place to which Jesus guides his sheep, is the springs of the water of life – Jesus shows the way to the abundant life here, and the everlasting life to come. “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish,” says Jesus.
This is the hope that WE share, as followers of Jesus. Through Him, we are given the strength, courage, and tenacity to break through whatever fences fence us in. We can take whatever chance Jesus calls us to, because we have the confidence of his care. Through Him, we are given the peace and serenity to hear him, even in the chaos of busy lives. We can ignore the temptations and enticements of the world around us, by letting our focus be on Jesus. Through Him, we are given relief from the prod, as we turn our weaknesses over to his strength. We can ask for and receive forgiveness, and we can turn Jesus loose on the project of making us whole again. We can follow, because in Him, we are led by respect and love.
Gracious God, strip us of our excuses, and mould us into followers of your son Jesus. Help us to hear his voice clearly, and follow him willingly, in Jesus' name, amen.