Across the Pastor’s Desk

By the Rev. Cherie Daniel, Freeborn Congregational United Church of Christ, Alden United  Methodist Church, Grace United Methodist Church (Kiester)

“Jesus, like a shepherd lead us.”

Our scriptures for this Sunday tell us that we are like sheep – that perhaps Jesus was telling us we are sheep. What does that mean? I’ve seen sheep in the penned lots of local farmyards. Not a very exciting life for an animal. I’ve seen sheep being herded through the seemingly barren hills of Israel. Not a very exciting life, I suppose, for the sheep, sometimes too exciting for the shepherd — dealing with stunted grass, low water sources and wild animals. Perhaps being a sheep is better than being a shepherd!

Aesop told a story about a wolf hiding in a flock of sheep by covering itself with a fleece of a sheep. The wolf in sheep’s clothing is someone not to be trusted, pushing its way among the flock members, only to suddenly turn on the flock. Not good.  Matthew actually used this same fable in his seventh chapter, using the same sense of betrayal.

I know of a phrase related to wool-gathering – which echoes a practice by poor people who would follow a flock of sheep and pull the shreds of fleece off of the thorny bushes. The people hoped to collect — eventually — enough to create enough yarn with which to knit a garment. It is an act of desperation. Yet, the sheep are unwittingly providing for those less fortunate — the people who had no shepherd providing for their every need.

The black sheep — so-called because of a supposed association with the devil – is one who sullies a family’s good name. Actually, wool that is dark-colored naturally cannot be dyed to any other beautiful color, so it is worthless outside its natural pigmentation. A black sheep will not be changed it is hopeless.

There is a Chinese zodiac, with each year being represented by a different animal.  People (like me) are born in the year of the sheep/ram. They are elegant, highly accomplished in the arts, passionate about nature. What those traits have in common with sheep, I am not sure, but I like them.

Studies have shown that sheep do, indeed, have a remarkable memory for faces and may even form mental images of missing companions. The possibility exists that sheep apparently grazing without a thought may indeed be thinking about a lost companion — or even a missing shepherd. If we, like sheep, do go astray, then when we hear our companion/shepherd’s voice, we may indeed recognize it and follow.

The Lord is my shepherd. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. If we let Jesus be our shepherd, and follow his lead, we will live in safety with all our needs provided. Listen for his voice. He is calling.