Seeing Sheep: Some reflections on Matthew 10 - Lizzie Laferton
As I pondered Matthew 10 on my Sunday-morning run, I was asking myself what it would take for me to proclaim the kingdom message as boldly and fearlessly as the disciples were called to do in that chapter.
Of course in large part the answer is right there in the passage. It takes:
leaning on Jesus’ unshakeable authority to command and complete his saving work through his gospel message (10:1, see also 28:18-20)
knowing I am not alone but rather indwelt and empowered by the Spirit (v20)
considering rejection as something to be expected rather than as evidence of something gone wrong (v22, v23-25)
cultivating a right reverence and fear of God, who commands body and soul, rather than feeding a fear of people, who cannot imperil my soul (v28)
being constantly amazed at the wondrous idea that Christ would acknowledge me and call me his own before the very Father in heaven (v32)
recognising the surpassing worth and love of Christ (v37)
and dwelling on the wonder of the life I have in Christ that cannot be lost (v39).
But, in addition to those truths, something I found myself reflecting on as I pounded the pavements was the transformative effect of seeing people as Jesus saw them, of looking on people with compassion, of recognizing them as sheep (9:36).
See Sheep Everywhere
What does Jesus, the Good Shepherd, Creator, Sustainer and Redeemer, see as he looks on humanity?
When Jesus looks at the person you’re talking with or who you pass in the street or who was shown on the evening news, he doesn’t see just a statistic or a headline. Jesus doesn’t just see a service-provider. Jesus doesn’t see someone whose role is to affirm or bolster your self-image. He doesn’t see your competitor. He doesn’t see the identity that person is seeking to forge. He doesn’t see first and foremost their questionable choices. To Jesus, that person is not the lifestyle you envy. Nor is she primarily friend or foe, help or threat. He is not a potential burden to be weighed against one’s self-interest. She is not her culture or a representative of an ideology. He is not a problem to be solved or ignored. She is not her job. He is not even just your neighbour, colleague, brother or son.
Christ sees sheep. Lost without Christ. Helpless and harassed. Under sin and without hope. In desperate need of the Good Shepherd who seeks, calls and saves.
Seeing Sheep Changes Everything
When I see, for instance, a famous critic of Christianity such as Richard Dawkins as a sheep rather than as an antagonist or as irritatingly inconsistent, I will neither fear his words/impact or snort at his arguments. Instead I will look on him with compassion, think of him with respect, grieve for him and pray for him. When I see people as sheep who have turned to their own way (Isaiah 53:6), their rejection of the gospel is rightly ordered – as a rejection of God rather than of me, a rejection that will cost them more than their persecution of me could cost me – and they cease to feel like a personal threat.
When I see, for instance, a homeless person as a sheep rather than as the product of poor life choices or as a difficulty best left to professionals or as a potentially awkward conversation, I will move towards them to meet their needs as best I can, showing them compassion and doing as the disciples were called to do: speaking the hope of the kingdom and meeting physical needs out of kingdom love.
When I see, for instance, a friend or neighbour as a sheep who is out of relationship with the heavenly Father rather than primarily in terms of their relationship with me, I will prioritise their eternal relationship with God ahead of our temporary one and risk telling them about the King and the kingdom.
When I see, for instance, my a boss as a sheep whose eternal destiny is held in God’s hand rather than as the one with the power to hold my job in his/hers, I will remember I have more to offer them than they can ever give to me. And so I can risk their disapproval by holding out the hope of forgiveness and eternal life in Christ.
When I see, for instance, refugees and victims of war as sheep who are shut out from an eternal home, not just an earthly one, I will remember that their greatest need is of the Good Shepherd who brings peace between men and God. And so as well as praying and paying towards their relief now, I will obey the command of Matthew 9:38 to pray for harvest workers.
When I see people as the sheep of Isaiah 53 and Luke 15 and John 10 – that is as eternal souls that Christ considers to be worth seeking and saving, worth the cost of his very life – I will cease counting the cost to me of making him known. For what cost would I call ‘too much’ to see those I love be found in Christ?
I Am a Sheep
And when I remember that I was once helpless and harassed, wandering astray, I will rejoice in the grace I have been shown. Having freely received, I will “freely give”(Matthew 10:9).
What’s more, when I see myself as a sheep, when I remember that I am shepherded and counted as a precious and much-loved member of Christ’s flock, I will follow Christ as the One with all authority; I will know I am not alone but rather indwelt and empowered by the Spirit; I will look upon my Lord and Shepherd with right reverence and be constantly amazed at the wondrous idea that he would acknowledge me and call me his own; I will gaze on him as I follow him, recognising his surpassing worth and love; and as I look forward to him leading me home to final pastures, I will dwell on the wonder of the life I have in Christ that cannot be lost.
Christ sees sheep and has compassion.
So let’s look in the mirror and see a sheep. Let’s enjoy Christ’s compassion for us. And let’s look around and see sheep, sharing in Christ’s compassion for them.
