Describing the ruler of the people as a shepherd of the people is common in Mediterranean cultures. The Pharaoh is often depicted holding a flail and a shepherd’s crook as a sign that he was both a war leader and a shepherd to the people of his Empire. The rulers of Babylon and Assyria were described in the same way. King David was a shepherd before he was the King. And the Psalms often use images of shepherds and sheep to illustrate the relationship between God and the people or between the King and the people. 

When Jesus describes himself as the Good Shepherd he does so in a way that seems familiar at first glance, but when you look more carefully is very different, radically different even. He isn’t going to kill others to protect his flock, he is going to die to protect his flock.

As Jesus’ followers we are called to live into his example, and that means we must find a different way of living into our relationship with the people who surround us, and who often oppose us. In this week’s sermon I explore that question.

(I’m sorry that I’m re-running a sermon again this week. I did a recording a new version, but the camera system went haywire halfway through the filming and I didn’t have the time to reshoot with a different camera. It’s been quite a run of challenges. I’m hoping that next week I’ll be able to get back on track.

You can find a direct link to this week’s sermon here.