One of my favorite “Easter eggs” of Eastertide is Good Shepherd Sunday. Nowadays often the fourth Sunday of Easter, this Christian sabbath day is all about the imagery of our Lord as a shepherd and we humans as the sheep.
It is imagery that is rooted in the Old Testament scriptures (most famously, Psalm 23) and that Jesus returns to frequently in teachings. It is imagery that can be understood in different ways throughout various stages of life, frequently providing comfort in the toughest of circumstances.
Why is this imagery given a spotlight moment during the seven-week Easter season?
Jesus self identifies as the Good Shepherd. To him, this means a compassionate shepherd who is willing to go the distance to find lost sheep and even willing to die for the flock. (Matthew 18:10-14, Luke 15:1-7, John 10)
A shepherd who is willing to die for the sheep sounds more like a “crazy” shepherd than a “good” one. Yet, this is the definition of goodness Jesus sets before us. Jesus’ level of goodness is extreme and well beyond what is expected. It is goodness grounded in authentic compassion. As sheep of the Extremely Good Shepherd, we should easily become whole-heartedly endeared to our Lord, seeing the extent to which the Lord is willing go for us.
In the gospel of John, when Jesus articulates that he is the Good Shepherd, the response from the crowds is hardly pastoral. They are ready to kill him. The disciples and Jesus go to a place of safety, but while there Jesus receives word that a close friend (Lazarus) has died. To comfort those mourning he must go back to where his life was threatened. Nonetheless, Jesus goes back, to be with those whom he loves so dearly (and to raise Lazarus from the dead). (John 10-11)
It is easy for us (those who know the crucifixion that is to come in the story) to immediately associate the image of a shepherd laying down his life with Jesus’ death on the cross. Yet, in these two chapters we see our shepherd in action already, going back into harm’s way to be with those whom he loves, to comfort them. And then, in the midst of those desiring to commit murder, he does the most miraculous miracle of the gospels—raising someone from the dead. This is extremely-good-shepherd action.
We as followers of the Extremely Good Shepherd are sheep, and also called to live our lives like this shepherd too. We must be willing to stand alongside those grieving and mourning, even if it means going outside of our comfort zone. We should show compassion and provide support for those who need it now, even if it means a sacrifice for us. We should be ready to take the brunt of rejection and rebuke, as we work to build the Eternal Kingdom of God in our world today.
For goodness like that of the Good Shepherd we were herded into this ever-expanding flock. The Good Shepherd now wondrously invites us to welcome others, care for others, demonstrate compassion for others, and raise up others in similar fashion.
Relevant Reformation 