The Shepherd is also the Gate – 30 April 2023

Jesus is the good shepherd who calls his sheep by name, Jesus is the gate to the sheepfold, whoever enters through Christ will be saved, while those who oppose Christ will destroy and kill the flock. –– Todd Johnson

John 10:1–10

After Jesus had given sight to a blind man on the Sabbath (9:1–7), the Pharisees attacked him as a sinner for transgressing the law (9:24). In the dispute that followed, Jesus condemned the religious authorities for refusing to recognize the gift of God present in his ministry (9:41). In chapter 10, Jesus continued to criticize his opponents for their self-serving and faithless leadership, using familiar imagery of a shepherd and sheep.

In both Jeremiah 23:1–4 and Ezekiel 34, the prophets announced God's judgment against the rulers of Judah, describing them as shepherds who scatter and devour the sheep. Instead of exercising faithful care for God's flock, those in power exploited the sheep for their own benefit. Because they failed to protect the sheep, God decided to remove them from their place of authority and to provide the flock with faithful care. Jeremiah refers to new shepherds sent by God to comfort and strengthen the flock. According to Ezekiel, however, God himself will gather and feed the flock.

With these images in the background, Jesus pictures his own authentic leadership for the people of God in two ways. He is the good shepherd who knows the sheep and is recognized by them. He is also the gate for the sheep. –– Aaron J. Couch

1 Peter 2:19–25

Gather and scatter is a theme running throughout the texts for this Sunday. The theme of gathering is introduced in the passage from Acts where Peter ends his Pentecost sermon with his Christological conclusion that the Jesus who was crucified has been made Christ and Lord by God, validated by his resurrection. Many of the Jews hearing this message, convicted about what has transpired, asked what they should do. Peter begins to gather the flock: he invites them to repent and receive baptism that their sins might be forgiven and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Three thousand respond and join the community of believers in Christ.

The theme is continued in the first epistle of Peter. The church's circumstances have changed since the day of Pentecost. The church gathered is now scattered and in duress. How ought they respond? The author admonishes the believers to endure pain and persecution for the sake of the gospel. They are offered the example of Christ, who suffered unjustly but never retaliated. But because of the willing sacrifice of Christ, they who were once scattered have been gathered by the risen Christ. –– Todd Johnson

Acts 2:42–47

After Peter's Pentecost speech, Luke indicates that three thousand people responded in faith and were baptized. He goes on to picture the manner of life within the early community of Jesus-followers as a further response to the good news that God had raised Jesus from the dead. Verse 42 may be construed specifically as offering a glimpse of the elements of early Christian worship (teaching, fellowship, communion, prayers), or more generally as naming primary elements of communal life by which believers were nurtured and sustained in faith.–– Aaron J. Couch

Todd E. Johnson served for a number of years as associate professor of worship, theology, and the arts at Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California, and is now the Senior Pastor of First Covenant Church in Seattle, Washington.

Aaron Couch is a co-pastor of First Immanuel Lutheran Church in Portland, Oregon.

Homily Service 41, no. 2 (2008): 137–144.