Just this last week I had a short break in Derbyshire. 

The high moorland hills were beautiful with the early  morning mists and then casting, shifting, light and shadows in the 4 seasons we had on one particular day, including icy sleet and warm brilliant sunshine.

And there were of flocks of sheep spread out over wide areas of hillside.   Not a shepherd in sight though, although the sheep were all colourfully marked to identify their flock.

Here in the south, sheep are more often kept in fields.  I have though more than once, had the experience of passing a field of sheep while driving along a narrow country lane, turning a corner and – there is one sheep on its own, grazing on the verge, seemingly unaware of the danger from the traffic.  This stray sheep obviously decided the grass was greener on the other side of the hedge and managed to find a way through. 

And so what do sheep need to flourish?   Well, first of all, good grazing.   Once they find suitable grazing they eat as fast as possible and then to complete digestion, they lie down to chew the cud.  As sheep are prey animals, they are more vulnerable while they are doing this and need safety from predators.  So a good shepherd provides his sheep with ample grazing and security – he makes them to lie down in green pastures.   

Sheep also need to drink.  Generally, sheep prefer to drink from still rather than running water.  The still waters provided to the flock let them to quench their thirst easily. 

Sheep turn up a lot in the Bible.  I read there are about 200 references to sheep, a similar number to lambs and about 100 references to rams, though the Old Testament references to lambs and rams most often relate to animals for sacrifice.

In his teaching ministry, Jesus saw that people were like sheep without a shepherd and had compassion on them.  Luke tells the parable of the lost sheep, a parable in chapter 15 which shows God’s love and care even for sinners.  The good shepherd knows each of his sheep as individuals, which is why he cares enough about the missing sheep to leave the other ninety nine to search for it.   Perhaps it was hurt after an accident, or – perhaps it was the greedy and adventurous individual who thought the grass might be greener away from its family and community.

The most theological analogy of people as sheep is found in John’s Gospel, particularly chapter 10.  Here Jesus tells us that he is the gate to the sheep pen, through which his flock must pass to have life “and have it to the full”. 

In the Gospel reading this morning though, He is the good shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep.  The good shepherd knows his flock, those who listen to his voice and will follow him.  In this country, we are used to seeing sheep controlled and moved by using dogs – many of us will have watched Countryfile programmes and others, on TV showing the skilled herding of the sheep into pens after we learn how the dogs are trained and cared for, to do this work.  As wolves are traditional predators of sheep, this use of dogs is based on natural fear in the sheep. 

That is not how Jesus the Good Shepherd controls his sheep. 

In the Middle East, shepherds still move the flock by walking ahead rather than following, and they use their voice to control their flock rather than by fear through using dogs. 

The flock had to learn their shepherd’s individual call, so the shepherd lived with his sheep to the extent that the sheep regarded him, in effect, as the lead sheep of the flock.  Our Good Shepherd Jesus lived with us as a human being for the same reason. 

Barbara Brown Taylor, in her book ‘The Preaching Life’, talks about seeing several different flocks owned by Bedouin shepherds mixing at the local waterhole at the end of the day. She says: “Their shepherds don’t worry about the mix-up, however.   When it is time to go home, each one issues his or her own distinctive call – a special trill or whistle, or a particular tune on a reed pipe, and that shepherd’s sheep withdraw from the crowd to follow their shepherd home. 

They know whom they belong to; they know their shepherd’s voice, and it’s the only one they will follow.”

Jesus identified as the good shepherd – good in the context of being able to draw all people to him - who knows his sheep by name – and who looks beyond the sheep fold to see who else can be brought in. 

Positive images – which contrast with the negative image of the hired hand, who runs away when the wolf is coming, running away because he is a hired hand who cares nothing for the sheep.  The real test comes when the shepherd has to choose between his own interest or that of the flock.

For us to hear Jesus’ voice is to be faithful to him and his teaching and show that we belong to his flock.  We though are not passive waiting to be led. As our shepherd he trains us, he loves us, his co-workers, as we try to show the love of God, through generosity, service, truth and walking alongside those in trouble or need. 

The true shepherd not only cares for his sheep with devotion but is known by them.  This is the basis for all pastoral work which is achieved through personal acquaintance.  We know the person, their likes and dislikes, we care for their needs and we pray for and with the person.

As we mix with other flocks; our neighbours, work colleagues, people we meet in shops – do we know and listen for our Good Shepherd’s voice?  Is his the only one we will follow?

And so as the high rolling hills of Derbyshire were beautiful with early  morning mists and shifting light and shadows, we can see a metaphor here in those seemingly 4 seasons on one particular day, including the icy sleet and then the brilliant sunshine, for our lives with all its ups and downs, trials, worries and joys.

We may often behave like wandering sheep, but our shepherd knows and cares for each of us as individuals. When we follow him and listen to his voice, we get good food, rest and protection.   

We have a companion through the darkest times always. 

Amen.