A scripture passage doesn’t have to be long to pack a powerful and important message. Some people are strengthened and consoled in times of crisis by a simple verse. A verse we may have heard repeated over the years in our liturgical celebrations or readings, takes on significance when we hear it in a new time of need. For example, during this Easter time we hear the risen Christ say to his disciples, “Do not be afraid.” During an earlier time in our lives we might have heard that verse and just noted it as part of the story. But if we are struggling this year we hear that simple verse, “Do not be afraid,” as a sign that we are not alone in our struggles. In fact the verse might have the very effect on us it speaks of and we find ourselves encouraged and assured that we are not alone at this moment of our lives. At these times of need we experience what Jesus promised, “My sheep hear my voice. I know them and they follow me.” We not only hear what he said, we experience Jesus himself in his word.
Today’s gospel passage is part of a long section of controversies Jesus is having with his opponents (5:1-10:42). In this section of the gospel. He is threatened with death. He is speaking at the time of the Feast of the Dedication (Hanukkah), which celebrated the cleansing and rededication of the Temple by Judas Maccabeus (164 BCE). One of the major themes in John’s Gospel is that Jesus is the new Temple — God’s presence with the people. The feast would have stirred up hopes that God would again liberate the people from their current oppressors, the Roman pagans. Jesus is the new Temple and as suggested in the final verse (“The Father and I are one”), he is the new place of God’s presence among people. Like the Temple he too is about to suffer destruction but just as God was present in the former Temple, God will continue to be present to and in Jesus.
Jesus’ opponents are holding back, waiting to be convinced by spectacular signs. Instead, Jesus invites us to enter his flock and listen to his word. What we hear throughout John’s Gospel is that Jesus is the revelation of God — the Word of God made flesh
Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures people are spoken of as God’s flock. Now Jesus claims the true people of Israel will recognize him as their shepherd by hearing his voice and following him. Sheep are always in danger of being snatched away by wolves and thieves. Jesus assures his flock that they will not be snatched away; that God holds on to them. God’s grasp on us is stronger than our grasp on God. Jesus can assure us of our own security because God’s power is with them. He acted with God’s authority; his hand is God’s hand.
In John’s Gospel “life” is used more than 50 times. There are only seven miracles described in this gospel and among them is the raising of Lazarus from the dead. The dead hear Jesus’ voice and are raised to life, just as he promised (5:25). We, the believing readers of John’s Gospel, are given an insight where Jesus is from. John tells us that in the Prologue (1:1-18). There he introduces us to the pre-existence of the Word-made-flesh. But many of the characters in this gospel do not know Jesus’ origins. In John’s Gospel Jesus, the eternal Word, enables those who “hear my voice” to become children of God and have eternal life.
When Jesus speaks of hearing his voice it’s not just picking up the sound waves that strike our eardrums. He is asking for more than passive listening. In the Bible when the Word is spoken it is first received — that is the passive event. Then the word heard and accepted leads to action. When Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice,” he is speaking first about hearing him — the passive event. But next comes a necessary response to what they hear, “they follow me.” So, first we recognize the voice of God in Jesus, then we follow what he has taught us with the help of the Spirit
As we heard two Sundays ago (John 20:19-31), on the evening of the resurrection Jesus appeared to his disciples locked behind closed doors and he breathed the Holy Spirit on them saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” It’s that Spirit who enables those who hear the shepherd’s voice to follow him by acting on what they hear.There are a lot of conflicted voices reaching out to grab our attention. Have you been listening to any of the campaign speeches? Amid the shouts and arguments we struggle to listen to what God is saying to us. Jesus want’ us to be careful and watch out for false prophets. He called them wolves in lambs clothing (Matthew 7:15).
From the beginning of the Bible, starting with Adam and Eve, alien voices have drawn people away from God. These voices promise to provide quick solutions to difficult problems. We heed them and soon their words turn to dust. My email box is loaded daily with advertisements for: pills to lose weight, books claiming to give financial acumen; miracle vacuum cleaners; cheap home repairs and books by popular gurus promising tranquility and better health.These are attractive voices, but their promises usually fail, or at best, offer only temporary security. We look for quick and easy self gratification. We do not hear the voice of the shepherd who acknowledges we will have problems in this life, but in spite of that, he offers us peace and we experience his “rod and staff” guiding us. Or, in terms of our second reading, the voice of the elder before the throne assures us, “For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving waters and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
The Book of Revelations can sound other-worldly and dreamlike with its exaggerated images. But the book was written for a persecuted Christian community and we can hear the comfort it promises to those who stay faithful to the shepherding voice of the Lord. “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
What does “eternal life” look like? In his preaching Jesus offers his followers eternal life, not just in the future, but beginning now, to “the one who hears my word” (John 5:24). In John, eternal life is a deep life that begins here and now for those who hear and act on Jesus’ words. It provides: solid ground for us to stand on during life’s storms; peace even amid great change; forgiveness each time we ask; healing for life’s wounds. Converts to the faith have passed from death to life. This is promised to remind them that, while there is a realized aspect to eternal life, it is still a promise that will not be fully realized until the future.
The Good Shepherd section of John’s Gospel was written in a context of conflict — with Jesus’ death looming over the scenes. John wrote his gospel for a Christian community that was conflicted from within and without. In this gospel John is encouraging his community to pay attention to the shepherd, who is present to and guides his flock. They are to listen to him. But more, he pays attention and listens to us, the sheep on his flock. If we hear the voice of the Shepherd we will remain close to him and he will strengthen us as the world closes in and opposes us- as it did to him.