Once upon a time, I learned a song at Vacation Bible School that said: "I just wanna be a sheep, baa baa baa baa. I just want to be a sheep, baa baa baa baa, and pray the Lord my soul to keep; I just want to be a sheep, baa baa baa baa."
The same idea is expressed in a little more meaningful way in the hymn by schoolteacher Henrietta von Hayn, "I Am Jesus' Little Lamb." We are familiar with the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd, and we as His Sheep. Today {as Maddox has been embraced by the Good Shepherd in Holy Baptism/you seventh graders make confirmation that you follow the Good Shepherd}, we all have opportunity to think about this shepherd to sheep relationship. What does it really mean to be sheep, belonging to the Lord?
To start out, sheep have strong flocking and following instincts. They operate on two familiar principles: "Strength in numbers" and "follow the leader." That can often have unintended consequences. As recently as 2004, there was a report of a lead sheep trying to jump over a small chasm and unfortunately missing—with the rest of the flock following suit, to their destruction. It's not a stretch to suggest that we also have strong flocking and following instincts, with the same potential for disaster. At various times in your life, following the crowd may seem like the smart thing to do. Each of us wants to belong, to fit in somewhere. But if you get into a flock that is moving away from God, you can bet that you're heading for a cliff. There is strength in numbers, but only when Jesus is the shepherd of your flock.
Next, sheep are fully domesticated animals. That means they depend on interaction with humans in order to survive. So while it's true that a sheep would instinctively eat, it takes a caregiver—a shepherd-- to lead them to the best areas for grazing and to supplement their diet, when necessary. Also, sheep need to be sheared and cleaned. They can't do it themselves. This too captures our sheep-like qualities. We cannot spiritually clean ourselves. Like a sheep trying to operate an electric razor, it's just not possible. But we can be cleansed. We can be sheared of our sins. It happens when forgiveness is announced in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It happened when you were washed in the water of rebirth in Holy Baptism. It happens when you take your place at the Lord's Supper to feast on the body and blood of Jesus. And in this way your Shepherd feeds you. You need a steady diet of God's forgiving Word to sustain your faith. All you have to do is be there when it's feeding time.
That's good news, but there is this reality check: It is doubtful that sheep could survive in the wild. In fact, it's a given that sheep would be quickly taken down by predators if they had to fend for themselves. It's no secret that as a Christian, you have some powerful enemies. Some of them are obvious and others more subtle. All of them, however, would love to rob you of your faith, in one way or another. If we had to fend for ourselves, it is doubtful that we could survive the pressure. The attacks would become too hard to endure. It would be much easier to surrender to the herding instinct and follow the flock to our doom; but we are not left to try and defend ourselves. We have a shepherd who is willing and able to protect us. More than that, He would die to keep us safe. Listen to His words: "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—and I lay down my life for the sheep."
You have a shepherd who allowed himself to be devoured by the wolf of death so that you could live. On the rod and staff of the cross Jesus laid down his life for the sheep. And then, after laying down his life, he took it back up at his resurrection. His victory over evil and death is absolute. This is the shepherd who fights for you every day.
The story is told of a man who went to Ireland to visit his relatives. While he was staying at his cousin's farm, they decided to have some fun with him. After doing some chores in the fields, they told him to come in for dinner just as soon as he was through rounding up the sheep into the pen. After nearly an hour of chasing after sheep, trying to push, poke, prod, and even pull them with no success, he gave up and asked his cousins to help. They sent out their five-year-old daughter, who simply called out to the sheep, and within minutes they had all followed her through the gate into the pen.
You have a Shepherd who cleanses you, who feeds you, and who protects you for eternity. Wherever life takes you, follow his voice. Amen.
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