We're continuing to read through the Gospel of John. Today's reading is John 10:1-21.
The shepherd's dilemma. There is never a place where the sheep are risk-free. They are at risk inside the sheepfold (suffocation, biting, thieves, robbers). They are at risk outside the sheepfold (poisonous weeds, deep holes, cliffs, predators, flies, injuries). The shepherd can't eliminate risk, but he also can't be laissez-faire about it.
The shepherd's decision. There is a time to be inside the sheepfold and there is a time to be outside the sheepfold. Inside there is calm (relative), communion, coziness and comfort. Outside there is exertion and evangelism. It is the shepherd's call whether to stay in or go out at any given time.
The shepherd's direction. The shepherd walks in front of the sheep. This requires example, trust and credibility. He doesn't lead his sheep where he himself won't go.
The shepherd's delight. The shepherd calls each sheep by name. He knows and understands each one. No doubt this one-on-one, this demonstrated caring, is where the right to lead is earned. The shepherd's chief delight is not in shepherding. His chief delight is in the sheep themselves.
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