At least on the surface, the Gospel passage for this Sunday is a beautiful metaphor of the relationship between Jesus and his followers. He is our shepherd; we are his sheep. His concern here is reminiscent of the most beloved psalm in the Bible.
Yet, Jesus isn’t talking to his disciples here. He’s talking to the opposition. In fact, they start out by demanding for Jesus to “tell us plainly” whether he was the Messiah. That’s religion scholar talk for “I double dog dare you!” Jesus responds – not with a claim to be the Messiah – but with one of his strongest claims to godhood in the Gospels. Then, the opposition pick up stones to throw, just like the other time he claimed divine status so clearly. Why did he do it?
I’ve recently been reading an ancient scriptural tome to my son Clark before he goes to bed each night. In this story, Brother Bear learns about the importance of thinking and acting for himself — not just following the crowd. Sooner or later, we all feel lonely and isolated — and we are tempted by peer pressure. Jesus’ opposition was trying to do just that…
But he changed the rules on them. He refused to be backed (verbally) into a no-win scenario. Jesus revealed that he wasn’t alone…ever. And, neither are we…because he went farther than simply claiming to be the Messiah, the king of the moment.
So, when it seems like we’re encircled on every side by a stone-wielding mob…remember…