Becoming Shepherds

John 21:17 NIV: Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”

This will be the second art piece inspired by my reading of N.T. Wright’s “Surprised by Hope,” which says much for the content of this thought-provoking book. N.T. Wright does not mince words when he talks about our misguided focus on salvation being about “going to heaven,” for that is not the point of Christ’s resurrection. Resurrection has little to do with the time between life here on earth and our ultimate transformed resurrected life in the new heaven/new earth that Christ’s 2nd coming ushers forth.

Wright insists that the point of Christ’s resurrection made possible our spiritual transformation, not just for a private ‘relationship’ with God, nor for ‘going to heaven’, but instead so that we can transform our communities, our relationships, our world, and this precious earth both now AND for the future.

An epiphany for me was when he talked about the change in mission that took place after Jesus’s resurrection, which is the theme of my artwork. Peter was a fisherman by trade, so it is no surprise that when Jesus called him to be his disciple, he said, “I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19)

However, something remarkable happened on the very same shores of Galilee where Peter started being a fisher of men. After Christ’s resurrection and the beginning of the Kingdom of God here on earth, Peter’s mission changed. The scene in John Chapter 21 is beautiful: an early morning fishing trip, Jesus performing a miracle, and then forgiveness, restoration, and the great commissioning of Peter, who is the rock and foundation of the church.

Did Jesus say, now that I’m risen, it’s all about numbers, go “capture” as many people as you can! Did he say, hook them, bait them, dazzle them, force them, or terrify them…whatever you do, snag them for heaven?!

No. Jesus said, “Feed my lambs, shepherd my sheep, feed my sheep.” He repeated this idea three times, in three different ways, to emphasize that it was now time to stop fishing and start shepherding.

When you think of a shepherd, what comes to mind? I think of someone who provides safety and care for physical needs. Someone who is gentle and guides their flock to green pastures and still waters and restores their souls. I think it’s time we remind ourselves of what the church, and therefore we, are called to be in light of Christ’s glorious resurrection: shepherds!