Musical Prelude and Service.

1 John 3:16-24 & John 10:11-18
So, let’s start with a question. How do we feel about being described as sheep?
In the current social and political context in this part of the world, being called a sheep is generally viewed as an insult. We are part of a mindless herd following the dictates of our minder; perhaps an energetic dog carrying out the directions of that minder. Docile and harmless, with no opinions or thoughts of our own.
Jesus calls us his sheep.
I can’t speak for the general view the people of his time and place held for sheep; but they were certainly seen as carrying enough value that they were watched over, protected, and cared for.
Considering everything else Jesus said and taught, I find it difficult to imagine Jesus was looking down his noses at the people he called his sheep. In fact, in this scripture from John he reiterates that he is prepared to die for his flock. So, no. Jesus does not see being called sheep as an insult.
We may move as a flock, but we are part of a community that cares for one another; looks out for one another and comforts one another.
But beyond Jesus being willing to give his life for his flock, Jesus also makes it clear that he desires to see more sheep join his flock. As professor and theologian David Lose notes this passage of scripture, makes it clear that God is not done yet in remaking the world. Jesus is still calling people to the work of creating a new world. Jesus is still seeking sheep. When we look at the two scriptures we read today, we are left with the clear idea that God is using our lives, our actions and our words to draw people into the loving community God desires for all of creation.
One of the things we have reflected on since Holy Week and moving forward is that Jesus lays down his life for us. His love moves him to hold fast to his conviction that God desires for us to love and to live for all of God’s creation. We are part of a community, and the community survives and thrives as a whole. The sheep do not survive and thrive living all on their own. The message, as I read it is that we are all part of the flock and Jesus is still at work drawing us together.
But here’s another thing that jumps out for me. Jesus tells his followers that there are other sheep who are not part of the fold but who he also needed to collect. Not all sheep look alike. They come in different colours and patterns of wool. They thrive in different environments. Perhaps some of these sheep see the world in different ways and sound a little bit different when they choose to make some noise.
This is not going to be a uniform looking fold of sheep.
But Jesus is still at work bringing us all into community. Because despite his best efforts, we have a habit of wandering off, losing our way, getting distracted by some fascinating view or being drawn to something that looks really good but may not actually be so healthy for us.
But Jesus keeps coming back and looking for us, and calling us to return to the flock or the fold.
And I would also argue that Jesus is not looking for sheep that fit a particular profile – at least not one I would ever recognize. Jesus calls us from all walks of life. He calls those who the rest of the world dismisses or turns their backs on. Jesus calls those who are all too often viewed as unclean or undesirable, as weak or just the wrong sort. Scripture is filled with stories of God turning to the least likely to be the messenger or the guide or the liberator from slavery.
The criteria for greatness established by this world are not the criteria God works with.
And yet, we the sheep – at least some of us sheep, tend to take it upon ourselves to decide who should get to join the flock. We tend to decide some of our fellow sheep don’t really fit in and we find innovative or even very straight forward ways of shoving them out of the fold. Or we even decide to try and close the gate and keep the new sheep Jesus has found from entering. But as we just read this morning, Jesus says they are the gate. We don’t get to close that gate. No matter how much we may think we know the mind of Jesus.
Or, and this can be very troubling we may carry on in such a troubling manner, the sheep Jesus called may look upon the fold and the behaviour of the sheep that are already there and wonder;
do I really want to go there?
In John’s first letter, we are told again that we are all drawn together by and through Jesus. We are connected to one another, and Jesus is the thread or the glue; however you envision us being bound to one another.
But as part of the body of Christ there are expectations or responsibilities that we should assume.
In finding new life, Christ Jesus calls on us to live that life in a particular way. If we are part of Christ’s body, we need to act like it and care for the other parts of the body.
We need to love. We need to love one another, care for one another.
To care what is happening to our neighbour; care what happens to the stranger we encounter.
Even the individual who annoys us or angers us; the person or people we are afraid of.
Now as a quick aside here, this call to love and compassion, even of our enemies, does not mean acting recklessly. It does not mean disregarding our own health and safety. It certainly does not mean putting our lives in danger recklessly. When Jesus talks about laying down his life for his sheep out of a sense of love, it was not a call for us to allow ourselves to be abused. Jesus is not calling for us to allow ourselves or others to be the target of abusive behaviour. Enduring abuse or bullying is not an act of love. And neither is standing by and witnessing such behaviour in silence what Jesus is calling for.
We live in a world where we continue to see vulnerable people in our community abused. Either through language or actions or both. We see this in several different ways; with the rights of women, the 2SLGBTQ+ community and people of colour threatened or stripped away south of the border.
We continue to see ways vulnerable members of our society are demeaned or told they are not as valued. Or worse that they are part of some nefarious agenda.
But Jesus tells us we are all loved. We are all beautiful and valued members of the flock. And as part of that flock, we are called to welcome all who come into that flock. To comfort them and offer warmth and nourishment and to find greater strength and beauty in our growing numbers.
And we are called to show through our words and our actions that we are part of the beautiful body of Christ that is called to work with all off creation to make this a world of justice, of peace and of mercy.
So, am I a sheep? Can I find comfort and praise in that term and not view it as an insult thrown about, meaning I am not capable of thinking for myself? I think so. Jesus looks upon us as sheep.
Part of a community that may be vulnerable to the predators of this world. But also, as a community that comforts one another. Protects one another and has faith in the work and the sacrifice of our shepherd. And so, we can say thanks be to God. Amen
Rev. Warner Bloomfield

Music provided with permission through licensing with CCLI License number
2701258 and One License # A-731789