Shepherding has always been part of Israel's life. However, it began to decline throughout the years as farming became the driving force of the economy. In fact, when the Israelites were in Egypt, many Egyptians and Israelites looked down upon the shepherds. For instance, Laban, who was of Hebrew origin, forced Jacob to work as a shepherd for many years (Gn. 30:31-34). Moreover, Moses when he fled out of Egypt to Midian, it was there that he also became a Shepherd after being a ruler in Egypt. It seems that the role of a shepherd began to be the lowest part of the economy for caste system in that time.
Shepherding means a lot more than just being a status in the economy of Israel. To be a shepherd, one had a lot of responsibilities, such as staying up all night and watching the flock. Because of this, the job was transferred to the younger children to tend the flocks. For instance, David was the youngest of his brothers, and Jesse tells the Prophet Samuel that David was out tending the flock. The Shepherd had to watch the flock from its prey at night; he had to count the sheep everyday; he had to feed the flock and take it to fresh waters; he had to look for the lost sheep and bring it back to its pasture. In addition, the sheep had to become familiar with their shepherd's voice. According to Holman Dictionary, Shepherding is translated as Feeding...the Shepherd will carry weak sheep on his shoulders (http://www.studylight.org). No matter how ugly the sheep may looked, when being wounded, the Shepherd never gives up on his sheep even if it dies on his arms.
To be a Shepherd is to be a chosen leader for a community that will listen and follow the way. In the Book of Exodus, Moses leads the people out of Egypt to Mount Sinai. He first had to learn what it meant to be a shepherd before he served a people that will eventually become the chosen people of God. As Moses reaches his destination near the mountain, he was away for about forty days. The people thought that he had abandoned them, so the Israelites sought someone in their midst to guide them into the promise land. As a result, they created a molten calf and began to worship it. Moses, while conversing with God, is told that the people had abandoned the way of the Lord. They began to worship a false image and God decided to wipe them out from the face of the earth. However, Moses knows that even if a lamb leads astray or is weak, he is willing to work with the lamb for as long as it takes. For this reason, Moses intercedes on behalf of the people by saying, "Why, O LORD, should your wrath blaze up against your own people...remember your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Israel (Ex. 32:13-14). Moses reminded God about the covenant that He had made with the Patriarchs, and how God had to fulfill that promise with his chosen people despite the faults and failures of the people. Thus, God relented that day from punishing Israel for their disobedience.
Although Israel has had faithful leaders to the LORD, they still struggle throughout history to have good Shepherds. The idea of Shepherd has taken a different form within the content of Israel. The people sought sought a leader that would be obedient to the Lord's command, but it was difficult to find a leader that would imitate Abraham, Isaac, Israel, and Moses. After the babylonian exile, the prophet Ezekiel was very aware that the Kings of Israel have failed to keep the Lord's covenant. Because of this, God had given them over to their enemies and suffered the consequences. The hope for a faithful and true Shepherd to come remains in the words of the Prophet mouth. He utters the words of the Lord by saying, "I will appoint one Shepherd over them to pasture them, servant David; he shall pasture them and be their shepherd" (Ez. 34:23). God has commission the Prophet to the let the people know that a Shepherd will rise in their midst like King David but different.
In the New Testament, Jesus calls himself the Good Shepherd before his listeners. He says, " I am the Good Shepherd. A good Shepherd lays down his life for his sheep" (Jn 10:11). Jesus makes a bold proclamation about himself and he cannot deny what he truly is. He compares himself to a shepherd that is willing to do anything for his people, Israel, and the whole world. Jesus goes out in search for the lost sheep of Israel. He says, "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling!" (13:34). In another passage, Jesus says that he only came for the lost sheep after the woman begged him to grant her her prayers request. He tells the Canaanite woman, " I was sent only to the lost of sheep of the house of Israel" (Mt. 15:24).
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, fulfills the work of the Father. He comes to seek the lost by proclaiming the Good News of salvation. He offers his life as a sacrifice for sinners by dying on the cross. He speaks openly in public areas where others can listen to his words of hope, forgiveness, redemption, and love. As Jesus makes his way through many towns and villages proclaiming repentance, there are many who follow him and listen to his words. However, before they can actually follow him, the sheep must be carry by the shepherd. This process of healing will take time for the sheep to be restored back to grace. In addition, Christ becomes the mediator between the Father and humanity. He continues his work of salvation through the sacraments as he heals the wounds of humanity and forgives sinners. He is restless when he searches out for the lost sheep that has fallen away from grace. The Son's primary duty is to bring back to the Father's house the lost sheep.
As Jesus continues to knock at the door of the sinner's heart, let the sinner say, "Come Lord Jesus!"
No comments:
Post a Comment