A Great Place For the Good Shepherd

John 5:1-15
In describing the setting of the story, our gospel reading today offers an interesting bit of information. “Now in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate,” it says, “there is a pool, called in Hebrew Beth-zatha, which has five porticoes. In these lay many invalids — blind, lame, and paralyzed” (John 5:2-3). Personally, I assume that if scripture sees fit to include even the smallest bit of information then we should give it some consideration, and that’s the case with John’s reference to the Sheep Gate as being near the location of one of Jesus’ healings. There is a reason that John shared this fact with us, and I don’t think that it is entirely a matter of location. With just a few words John has also reminded us of Jesus’ role in tending to the people of God –– most especially those in need –– as a shepherd tends to his flock.

References to Jesus as the Good Shepherd are common of course, both in scripture itself and in the worship and devotional life of the church. A familiar motif for stained glass windows in Christian sanctuaries is the figure of Jesus holding a lamb with other sheep gathered around him. This is the Lord we Christians worship, and it is extremely important that we hold this image of flock-tending as close to our hearts as any other when it comes to our understanding of Christ. Shepherding is not glamorous work; nor is tending to the needs of people who have been cast off by their culture. So the Lordship of Jesus reflects the power and authority of God’s Son; but the work Jesus so willingly did placed him in positions of vulnerability and weakness according when viewed in human terms.

As a minister I find myself faced with an almost daily challenge based on Jesus’ role as the Good Shepherd. On the one hand there is the temptation to embrace the prestige that comes with serving a mainline Protestant congregation, perhaps especially in the southern United States. Even in an era when the decline of some denominations has lessened their real or perceived social standing, it is easy to get caught up in the life of the institution. On the other hand, I am called to worship and serve a Lord who walked among the “blind, lame, and paralyzed” of Jerusalem, who offered healing to the least and the lost, who gave of himself in order to save others. I am also called to do this work.

Jesus is Lord of all. But Jesus is also the Shepherd of the flock. As his people we are called to follow his example, serving where we are needed. And sometimes that just happens to be among the sheep.

Prayer: O God, may we faithfully serve where we are needed, trusting in the guidance and grace of your Son our Savior, in whose name we pray. Amen.