Shepherds

 2 Samuel 7:1-14a; Ephesians 2:11-22; Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

It’s tempting to think that David became king and all in the kingdom was settled and quiet, but there were constant battles for control of various territories. It was not a peaceful era. David manages to get the Jebusites off the mountain where Jerusalem is, in order to establish it as his city, but there are frequent battles against various groups.

David assumes that since he is now established as king, he can finally get the Ark of the Covenant – which contains the tablets of the 10 Commandments given to Moses – out of the portable tent and into permanent housing. He is discussing this with the prophet Nathan, who says, “What a great idea!”

But God tells Nathan it’s a terrible idea. “Instead, go and tell David I will make of him a name, and a dynasty. I took him from being a shepherd of sheep to being the shepherd of my people. David is charged with helping the people remember who I am and who they are in relationship with me.” Note: I paraphrase!

David as shepherd of the sheep, chosen by God, anointed as a child to be king, is now the king of Israel. He is forever seen as the image of what a ruler should be, a shepherd of the people as well as a military genius guided by God.

Because of this, David will not build the temple, it will be Solomon, David’s son and heir, who builds the temple. Solomon’s temple will last 500 years until it is destroyed by the Babylonians. David’s descendants are known for 1000 years and more, and traced in the genealogies of Jesus in Matthew and Luke. David’s name does indeed live on, because it is believed that a descendant of David will be the messiah. And, the image of the ruler as a shepherd, both praised and more often criticized, appears frequently in the writings of the prophets.

… Approximately 14 generations after King David, Jesus is ministering in Galilee and surrounding regions. He uses the fishing boats belonging to some of the disciples to get from place to place around the Sea of Galilee. The disciples have been out on their 2x2 mission trip, long enough that they are all tired, exhausted by the work of sharing the good news of the reign of God and healing all who asked for it. And yet, exhilarated by the experience.

They report in, ready to debrief, to share with Jesus and each other all that has happened. They get in a boat, talking over each other in their excitement as they head for the spot Jesus has in mind. But, this longer time away in a quiet place is not to be. When they land, there are hurting sheep, people needing a shepherd, and Jesus answers the call. And so it goes, all around the area.

This line, “they were like sheep without a shepherd” is multifaceted. Yes, the people were in need of physical healing, casting out demons, and so forth. But the meaning behind the comment is that the designated leaders were not doing their jobs caring for the sheep. The Sadducees, the Scribes, the Pharisees, and others, were not being shepherd leaders; they were working hard to increase their own wealth, and ensure their own job security.

… The author of Ephesians is Paul or one of his followers writing in his name. This letter is sort of generic, not addressing a problem in a specific church, but more generally about living out the faith. It appears to be written late in Paul’s life, in the early 60s, or perhaps later if written by one of Paul’s followers.

Picking up on the idea of the temple, Paul describes the believers collectively as a holy temple, a dwelling place for God. In this temple, all are welcome. Back in that day, there was a big deal made about circumcision. Jews were known as the circumcised; it was a mark of membership in the people, carried out on infant boys since the time of Moses.

Peter and the other disciples serving close to Jerusalem believed that new Gentile believers must be circumcised. While it is not specifically mentioned in the Bible, I can imagine Paul having conversations with Gentiles about this requirement, and suddenly understanding that insisting on adult males having the procedure was a significant roadblock to growing the churches.

Telling Gentile believers, even though they were physically uncircumcised, that they were part of the body of Christ, part of the holy temple in the Lord, was a significant move toward unity in the growing church. In the last couple centuries in the US, we have faced different markers that include or prevent full membership in the body of Christ. Slave or free; dark or light skin; English-speaking or speaker of another language; male or female as leaders; wanting children or intentionally childless; straight or gay or somewhere in-between; freshly showered or in need of a bath.

Jesus intentionally tears down the dividing walls between any groups that believe they are right, maybe even righteous, and others are not. When we are able to accept all others as members of the same body, we find peace. And we find peace in the same flock with the same shepherd.

… This Presidential election cycle seems to be fraught with tension. Who will be our next leader? Will they be a shepherd or a king? Words and actions from anyone trigger anger in some group and applause in another.

A friend reached out for some words of assurance. I paraphrase: “After all the stuff that has been happening in recent weeks, I am frightened. I was told by many pastors to trust in God, but I’m not certain that what is happening is what God wants.”

My reply was something like this: It’s hard to trust when it seems like evil is winning. But God will eventually win. Hitler lost. Saddam Hussein lost. At first, it seemed, evil would last forever, and the losses were horrific! But in the end, evil lost.

Let’s continue to hope and pray and work for God’s justice, and assume that it will not take 40 years of wandering in the wilderness for it to come about. Keep hoping and praying, and vote for the leader who will be the best shepherd.

Amen