I don’t know about you but I am not a fan of adverts on the TV. One or two of them are ok but mostly they get on my nerves and their real value for me is that they provide an opportunity to go and make a cup of tea without missing anything. However, I have managed to note that there are a couple of adverts on at the moment which feature sheep. Of course the downside of not paying attention is that I can’t be sure what they are actually advertising so maybe any of you who do know might like to enlighten me after. One of these adverts I think is for train tickets and we are told we are sheep if we don’t get cheap ones in advance and save money. The other features a sheep dog who after competing in a sheep dog trial where he splits the flock (was he meant to?) then is seen seated at a dinner table with another dog. Haven’t a clue what advert is for and can’t imagine what can the advertisers think we are like if they expect ads like that to cut the mustard. It makes me just think I wont buy the product.
Shepherds and sheep appear in our Bible readings today. Probably you are thinking ‘again?’ Yes, well they do appear a lot. The sheep is the animal that is mentioned most in the bible; over 400 times apparently though I have not counted. It is understandable when sheep farming has played such a huge part in the life of that part of the world. It is familiar and rich imagery. Frequently leaders, rulers, Jesus are compared to shepherds and frequently we are compared to sheep.
But in our book, it is not really very complimentary to be called a sheep. Sheep are thought of as rather stupid and written off as dull and boring. Sheep are often the butt of jokes (excuse the pun). 2 sheep were out grazing and fell into a hole. “Help, help,” cried the first sheep (only he said it in sheep language). “Help ,help” cried the second sheep. No one heard. “Perhaps we would be louder if we shouted together,” said the first sheep to the second. “Together, together,” shouted the second sheep…………
However, sheep behaviour has been formed from instinct and over 1000s of years of learning what works and there is much we can learn about ourselves by looking at the characteristics of sheep. Compare and contrast as they used to say in exam papers before they all became multi guess.
Sheep are a herd animal. They need each other to survive. They are not an aggressive animal (in fact they only have bottom teeth) and can’t attack predators and enemies. Though apparently one should not scratch the head of a ram cos if you do he’ll take it as a threat and head butt you to remind you of your place in the flock. As they can’t attack then their safety lies in sticking together. Needless to say when they get together in the huddles that they do, the strongest ones in the flock push their way to the middle because that is the safest place to be – in danger the ones on the edge are going to be the ones most at risk. When they are not in danger they still stay quite near each other but ideally they each like a bit of space around them. It is called a flight distance. How close they want to be to another sheep depends on how well they know them. They don’t like strangers to be right on top of them. The more comfortable they feel with each other then the nearer they can be and cope.
Well lets just pause there a minute and take stock. Is that like us? Please no comments about some of us only having bottom teeth, that was not the point! Certainly I have to say that the flight distance is very true! Look at us all spread out over the church! We are happy to be near those whom we know I am sure but how many of us would feel comfortable if a stranger came into church and sat right down in the seat next to us? We would prefer a gap would we not. But we also need each other. Is it possible to be a Christian and not be linked into other Christians through a church or fellowship group? I don’t know but those of us who are here recognise that we do need others. The church as an institution needs us all to be here and playing a part or it would not survive and at a personal level we need each other to support each other and seek God together. In this 21st Century there are many dangers for us Christians to face both at a personal and societal level and to face them we must stick together. And, unlike the sheep, our faith is one that looks outwards so we are not just here for our own sakes but because we believe we have a responsibility to the world. We have a job to do.
Sheep are very timid creatures and easily spooked at the slightest thing and they have plenty of opportunity to see the slightest thing as their eyes have good peripheral vision and can see 320 degrees. So the tiniest thing that is a bit scary and a sheep is off. And if one is spooked then they all go. You don’t get one running off and another one turning round and saying “oh don’t be so silly there’s nothing to be scared of.” One goes, they all go. And sometimes the other way round in that they wont go somewhere which would actually be good for them because they are too scared. Sometimes too they get ideas in their heads and will not be dissuaded. So they head off on false trails because it seems like a good idea at the time. Or if they see a hole in a fence they want to get through they will try and even if the hole is too small they will keep trying. They don’t always learn very well.
So how often do we do that? How often, both as individuals and as a church, do we get ideas in our heads and go off following them when if we stopped to think about it, it is chasing fools gold. How often do we let one person influence our opinions or behaviour, and not for the better? Do we need to be more discerning about to whom we listen? We have a responsibility to each other to influence each other wisely; to build up not tear down; both at the church and at a personal level. Leading each other on in a bad way can really destroy a group. We can’t afford to be destroyed.
Sheep cannot look after themselves: they need someone one else. If they get caught in brambles, they cannot free themselves. If they end up on their backs they cannot right themselves. Because they are so timid they don’t always know what is safe to do. They need protecting from themselves and from danger and they need leading into good places for eating and care. That of course is where the shepherd comes in. Sheep learn to know and trust the voice of the shepherd who cares for them. Mix 4 flocks of sheep up and have the 4 shepherds call their flock and each flock will go to their shepherd. Much has been written about shepherds and Jesus as the Good Shepherd. Our first reading talks of bad shepherds and the damage they can do but all human shepherds can make mistakes because they are human so it is very important that all of us try and listen for the voice of Jesus and support our leaders in doing the same. We need to follow our Shepherd in order to be safe and well.
We often talk about good and bad shepherds but what about good and bad sheep? I leave you with the question. What kind of sheep are you? And can you be a better sheep? Unlike real sheep who behave just by instinct and response to their circumstances, we actually have a choice and can choose what kind of sheep we are and whose voice we are going to follow. It is up to us.
Susie