21 July 2024 - Proper 11, Year B

 

Theme

This week’s readings remind us that Christ is the Great Shepherd of humanity who loves and protects his flock of sheep. In Mark, Jesus has compassion on the people “because they were like sheep without a shepherd.” In Ephesians, the apostle Paul reminds the Gentiles that they have been welcomed into Christ’s flock. In Jeremiah, God condemns those destroying his sheep and prophesies that God will raise up a Righteous Shepherd to guide God’s people. Psalm 23 reminds us that God is our shepherd and we will lack nothing.

Scripture Readings

  • Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 - The disciples tell Jesus what they’ve been up to, all they’ve done and taught. Jesus invites the disciples to withdraw to a quiet place with Jesus to get some rest. They went away to solitary place, but many saw them leaving and followed them. When Jesus saw them, he had compassion on them “because they were like sheep without a shepherd,” and began teaching them many things. Later, Jesus travels by boat to Gannesaret and once again people recognize him as he arrives. People carried the sick to him and begged Jesus to let them touch even the edge of his cloak. All who touched it were healed.
  • Ephesians 2:11-22 - Paul reminds the Gentiles that they used to be separate from Christ and excluded from Citizenship in Israel, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus they have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Christ has destroyed the barrier between Jews and Gentiles and made the group one. Christ has set aside the law with its commands and regulations. Christ created a new humanity, thus making peace. He reconciled all to God through the cross and put to death their hostility. Through Christ, we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Gentiles are now fellow citizens with God’s people. God’s household has been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the cornerstone. In him the whole building rises to become a holy temple.
  • Jeremiah 23:1-6 - God condemns those destroying and scattering His sheep. God will gather the remnant of his flock and bring them back to pasture. Shepherds will be placed over them to tend them. They will no longer be afraid and none of them will be missing. Jeremiah prophesies that God will raise up a righteous branch from David’s line who will reign wisely and do what is just and right. He will be called “The Lord Our Righteous Saviour.
  • Psalm 23 - Probably one of the most well-known Psalms that is often read at funerals. “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” A reminder that God will guide us down the right paths and protect us from evil.

Personal Application

The biblical writers often used the metaphor of a shepherd and his sheep. This particular metaphor may be strange to most modern-day Christians, but it would have been familiar to the earlier hearers of these stories.

When Jesus was described as the Great Shepherd, listeners would have known that Jesus was willing to go great lengths to protect his flock, even being willing to put himself in danger to keep them out of harms way. The Gospels also tell us that Jesus as Shepherd was willing to go above and beyond for his sheep, even leaving 99 of them at risk of danger in order to go and retrieve the one that was lost.

Referring to Jesus as the Great Shepherd tells us as much about the sheep as it does about Jesus. It tells us that Jesus’ followers will know him by his voice. This means that as we observe the world around us, we will be able to tell what is of Jesus and what is not because we will recognize his voice in it. There are many who are claiming to speak for Christ today, but their actions and words are contrary to Christ’s voice. It also tells us that when we are down and out, when we wandering about without direction and guidance, Jesus the Great Shepherd is willing to step in and take us under his guidance and protection.

What do you think of the metaphors of shepherd and sheep? What does it mean for you to acknowledge Jesus as the Great Shepherd? How can you be a faithful sheep of the Great Shepherd?

Communal Application

It really irks me how much of the world today and particularly the Christian Church is in conflict and opposition with each other. The majority of the biblical texts, and in particular the Gospels and the apostle Paul’s letters, are an invitation for people to become more united and peaceful and less divided and violent.

In Ephesians, Paul says that “Christ created a new humanity, thus making peace. He reconciled all to God through the cross and put to death their hostility.” And yet, looking around at the Church today, it is anything but peaceful and is often very hostile, both to outsiders and to insiders who don’t line up with their church’s particular doctrines or beliefs.

I believe that Paul and Jesus would have strong words for the Church today. We are facing similar struggles that the early Church faced with trying to decide who was in and who was out. Paul told them simply: stop bickering, stop excluding people and just get along (paraphrased)! Because of Christ Jesus, you are all brought near by the blood of Christ. Through Christ, we ALL have access to the Father by one Spirit. Live into your freedom and respond with joy, peace and love.

Where have you been at fault for causing division rather than unity in the body of Christ? Who are those individuals or groups of people that you have excluded from Christ’s body, whether intentionally or not? How can you better live into your freedom and respond to God’s grace in your life with joy, peace and love?

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