Let’s talk about the “Good Shepherd” … just for a little bit…
When it comes to Jesus as the “Gate” of the sheepfold…
This goes all the way back in time…to the day and the time…
When out in the hinterlands…
The shepherds would take their sheep to graze and to water them…
Often times they would have to seek out make-shift-temporary shelters where the animals could lie down for the night.
A three sided enclosure was best…
A place where predators could not get in – was A+
The shepherd himself would lie down at the entrance way…
And he himself would be “the gate…of the shelter”…or of the sheepfold.
Any sheep would have to pass over him to go out…
Likewise, any predators would have to come into the sheepfold “over him” to gain entrance.
The shepherd himself became “the gate or the doorway.” Exiting or gaining entrance was only permitted by getting past him, first!
You had to get past the shepherd!
He was blocking the way, both in and out of the sheepfold.
This is the image that Jesus gives us in John’s Gospel…
Jesus is the Gate!
Jesus is the gate to the sheepfold.
Jesus is protecting us.
Jesus is guarding our way.
Jesus is watching over us…
Jesus is constantly shepherding us…
But he also goes on to say – that we have to know his voice…and we must listen to him…and for him…
We must trust in him…
We have to believe and realize that he is there for us…
The good shepherd is…
Constantly watching over us and guiding us…
We are not alone…
And we are safe under his watchful eye and guidance…
He is also saying there is one shepherd and one flock…and we belong to him…all of us, each and every one of us…
Therefore, it is imperative that we listen for him, know his voice and follow his words…
He is the one who sees the bigger picture…
He is the one – who is our protector…
He is the one – who is the way, the truth and the life…
And it is – in His name, that we meet this day and receive the sacrament of forgiveness and love…
The “Good Shepherd” is calling out to you…
“Come to me, and I will give you rest!”
“Come to me, and I will keep you safe from harm.”
“Come to me and I will guide you all the days of your life.”
“Come to me, I am here for you.”
Amen.