Being the Sheep of God's Pasture

One of the most well known visual depictions of Jesus is the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd.  Sermons on the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd typically associate the sheep (followers of Jesus) with ignorance and helplessness, who need the protection of the Shepherd.  This association of sheep with ignorance is consistent with the way that human beings are metaphorically linked to sheep in contemporary political discourse.

This characterization of followers of Jesus being ignorant and helpless fundamentally misconstrues what it means to be a follower of Jesus, as does understanding the purpose of discipleship as seeking protection from harm.

Jesus is, after all, the Lamb of God, whose sacrifice effected the reconciliation and redemption of the world.  Sheep in ancient Israel were used in religious ritual as instruments of reconciliation between believers and God, and between persons who were estranged.  Similarly, followers of Jesus are cultivated by Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, so that we can become God's instruments of reconciliation.  We are sent, through God's Spirit, out into the world to bring about reconciliation and to proclaim redemption.