Shepherd

                                                                    

                                                                

       Shepherd

There are tens of thousands of beautiful  metaphorical images of Christ the Good Shepherd and the shepherd's life is often depicted as a simple one, free from the complexities of urban life. His needs are few, and he relies on the resources that nature provides. His home is often a humble shelter, possibly a small hut or a tent, and his belongings are minimal. He is self-sufficient, a minimalist,  able to live off the land and rely on the wool, milk, and meat of his flock. There is often a sense of contentment in this simplicity, as he values the peace and solitude that his lifestyle provides.

But in the time of Jesus, nomadic shepherds lived  with their flocks, providing all the care that the sheep needed 24 by 7. It was hard life. The shepherd was really one tough hombre.

Shepherds  would guide their sheep by day to find food and water and watch over them at night. The proverb “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink” applied to sheep as well.  And just because a shepherd found a nice stream of running water for this flock,  does not mean the sheep would drink from it. Sheep are afraid of  water that moves quickly. So now, the shepherd had to look for pools of water and provide a quiet place where the sheep could quench their thirst. How appropriate then are the words concerning the divine Shepherd: "He leadeth me beside the still waters" (Psa. 23:2).

Another familiar expression, “You can’t herd cats” applies to sheep as well.

Unlike cattle, which are often referred to as a "herd" due to their tendency to move collectively together, sheep are more independent, seek togetherness, but with individual freedom within small groups – just like people especially in families. That is why a pastor refers to his congregation collectively as  his flock.

In Jesus's time, a shepherd was often “armed to the teeth,” * since he had to protect himself and his  flock  from predators and thieves.

Shepherd’s staff – like in the paintings? Sure, he had one. David mentions the staff along with the rod in his Shepherd Psalm (Psa. 23:4.). It is a heavy tick stick six feet long and sometimes it  has a crook at the end of it (Deluxe model). It was a  walking aide,  but useful in nudging the sheep to keep true to a route and more. The staff offered substantial protection too; these were tough times, so the  shepherd had to be prepared for almost anything. The staff could help defend against wild animals like wolves or bears, as well as serve as a symbol of authority or leadership over the flock. The shepherd might also use a staff to settle disputes and address threats  from individuals.  (See Meme)

Shepherds carried  other tools for protection and practical use.

Knives: Shepherds needed knives for various tasks like shearing sheep, cutting through thorns, or preparing food. These knives would also serve as a means of defense if necessary, especially in dangerous situations involving wild animals or thieves.

 

Slingshots: Slings were common tools in the ancient world, particularly among shepherds. They were used both for herding animals and for defense against predators like wolves or lions. In fact, the biblical story of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17) describes David, a young shepherd, using a sling to defeat the giant Goliath. This highlights the practicality and effectiveness of slings as weapons for shepherds at the time.

Psalm 23:4 (KJV): "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."

Now several of the Twelve Apostles were fisherman, but don’t  think rod refers to a First Century,  Daiwa, St. Croix or Fenwick fishing pole. Nope.

In this passage, the "rod" and "staff" symbolize the guidance, protection, and care that God provides, much like a shepherd uses these tools to lead and protect himself and his sheep.

But the rod was like a policeman's baton or perhaps more like the 6-D cell Maglite Flashlights  popular for a time with some police departments. (They are generally banned BTW.) It was a Billy club  made of heavy oak with a big knob as the end. The “magnum “ version had nails inserted for some serious defense. No shepherd would leave home without it. It was the rod that David used in protecting his sheep from wild animals (1Sam. 17:34-36). He mentions both the rod and the staff in his Shepherd Psalm (Psa. 23:4) above. The rod was handy to have especially after dark. He carried it in his belt, or maybe  Clint Eastwood style in a leather holster.

 

Now when you look upon those picturesque paintings of Jesus the Good Shepherd in the fields with his flock, think what happens a night.

The shepherd often made a simple improvised sheepfold when he was away from his home . It was a temporary corral that  might be taken down when it came time to move on.  A perimeter was built of  stones and rocks and tree branches with tangled bushes that had big thorns  on top. But there was no gate. You are the shepherd; it is pitch black and you’re alone. What do you do? You  would lie down at  night across the entrance to protect your flock from wolves and jackals anxious for a meal putting your own life on the line.

This is Jesus the Good Shepherd laying down his life for His sheep.

 

Here Our Savior  is foretelling His ultimate sacrifice on the cross; His willingness to endure unimaginable suffering and offer His life in exchange for ours. He will make the ultimate sacrifice and pay the ransom in  a selfless act that  redeems us, reconciles us with the. In John 10:13, Jesus contrasts the Good Shepherd with the hired hand, who "chickens out" when the flock is in danger, as he does not have the same love and commitment to the flock that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, does. In essence, Jesus is telling us, both literally and metaphorically, that He has come to save humanity and protect us from the wolves. He speaks of these wolves not only as spiritual enemies but also as the adversities and challenges we all face in our lives. He promises his protection, but we must ask for it.

My grandfather spent a few  years living with his family on a farm in Nebraska in the late 1800s. His daughter — my aunt Stanisława (though she preferred to go by Estelle, for obvious reasons) told me that as a child, she sometimes felt frightened at night. The Pawnee, Omaha, and Otoe-Missouria tribes had long since been forced onto reservations, but other dangers still lingered. Even with the windows shut tight and the door securely barred, she could hear timber wolves circling the farmhouse. “Nie bój się” (“Don’t be afraid”), her father — a former cavalry soldier — would reassure her. And Aunt Estelle found comfort in knowing that Grandpa Tom was there to protect the family, willing to stay up through the night if needed, sitting watchfully in a chair with a loaded shotgun resting across his lap.

 

Jesus is often portrayed as a figure of, compassion, and nurturing care, watching over His followers with tenderness and love. These images are comforting sure,  but they only represent one side of our Savior. While He is the gentle shepherd, He is also our protector in times of danger. In the real world, shepherds faced threats from wild animals like wolves, and Jesus, in His role as the Good Shepherd, offers the same protection for us. The "wolves" in His teachings are not just physical threats but also represent spiritual dangers, temptations, and the hardships of life, including persecution or attacks from others.

In Matthew 10:16 Jesus sends forth the Twelve “as sheep in the midst of wolves.” 

So, while Jesus is often depicted as the Good Shepherd in those peaceful, serene paintings, with a calm demeanor, holding a staff, and surrounded by a pastoral setting.  I see Him in a slightly different way: seated at the right hand of the Father - with a big thick staff across his lap.

The wolves are still out there. So be careful  but remember the Good Shepherd is out there too, just like in those paintings.

 

Wishing you a Happy and Blessed Easter.

 

Meme:

* In the 1600s, pirates carried multiple weapons due to the inefficiency of early firearms, often holding knives between their teeth during battles.