Other Sheep

In the gospel of John, Jesus says that there are "other sheep who do not belong to this sheep pen," and that they will also hear his voice, so that there will be "one flock and one shepherd." What in the world is Jesustalking about? Who are these "other sheep"? And how do they relate to us? Are we "in" the sheepfold while they are "out"? This is a question that we must face as we encounter people of other traditions, other cultures, and other faiths. This sermon explores just a few of the aspects of the situation that exists as we consider the "other sheep."

One of the many things that I encountered in seminary was the commentary. A commentary is a verse-by-verse and section-by-section discussion of a book of the Bible. A commentary tries to help the reader understand what is behind the text. For example, a commentary on Paul’s letter to the Galatians might explain the structure of an ancient letter. It might discuss the social conditions in the church to which Paul was writing; or it might explain the early church controversy that caused Paul to write in the first place. Commentaries help us to interpret Biblical texts so that when we read them, our brains as well as our hearts are in gear!

The trouble with commentaries, though, is that they were all written long after the Bible that they are discussing! All the opinions in commentaries – educated though they are – are really just educated guesses. What we really need to understand the Bible thoroughly is a commentary that was written by the authors of the biblical texts – and, of course, no such commentary exists. We don’t have any explanation of Bible texts by the people who wrote them. But wouldn’t it be great if we did have something like that? The gospel of John, for example, is so deep, with so many layers of meaning, that it would really clear up some mysteries if we could hear from the author himself.

Let me give you an example. In John 10:16, Jesus mentions “other sheep.” “I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold,” he says. “I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice; so there will be one flock, one shepherd.” What “other sheep” is he talking about?

Today, we can only guess at what he meant. Most New Testament scholars believe that Jesus is talking about the gentiles – those people who did not belong to the ethnic group of the Jews. They say that because the Jews frequently referred to themselves as God’s sheep. God is the shepherd who watches over them and protects them, just like in the 23^rd Psalm. So if “the flock” is the Jewish nation, then the “other sheep” must be referring to non-Jewish gentiles. But there are other possibilities. Some folks believe that Jesus was referring to the non-human part of creation. After all, the Bible is clear that the Messiah will one day reconcile all creation to God. Maybe the “other sheep” are just that – sheep and cows and birds and dogs and fish and even all the creepy-crawlies! I’ve even heard this verse used to support the notion that there is life on other planets! What if the “other sheep” live on Mars? While I don’t think that this is what John meant, it’s an interesting possibility,

What we can’t argue is that there are “other sheep” out there. Today, we Christians think of ourselves as Jesus’ flock; and the “other sheep” are the billions of non-Christians in the world. So – what about them? Is Jesus going to bring them into the fold, too? Will they one day listen to his voice? Will we all be “one flock” some day; or will there be some folks who will forever be “outside the sheepfold”?

There are lots of opinions on this question. Most conservative Christians believe that, yes, some people will be permanently excluded from Jesus’ flock. They believe that each one of us needs to accept Jesus’ offer of salvation for ourselves; and many people – even many church members – will never do that. Some people even believe that there are certain words that we need to say in order to be in the sheepfold – “Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior,” for example. One of the most radical beliefs is that of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Based on the book of Revelation, they are convinced that Jesus will ultimately accept only 144,000 people. (Of course, they will all be Jehovah’s Witnesses!)

At the other end of the spectrum is the position that is called “universalist.” According to universalism, everyone is in the sheepfold, regardless of whether they have even heard of Jesus! That’s because Jesus died for everyone, everywhere, and in every time. Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, the sheepfold includes everyone. Jesus chose all of us, the fence around the sheepfold no longer exists, and there’s nothing that we have to do to get into the flock.

Most of us, though, are somewhere in the middle between these two extremes. We believe that some people are in the sheepfold, while others are still outside. And that begs the question – How do we know which is which? The traditional answer to that question is that if you’re not a Christian, you’re not in the sheepfold. Church members are “in,” while the unchurched are “out.” But that’s a very simple answer; probably too simple. For example, what do we do with all the people in our country today who describe themselves as “spiritual but not religious”? Many are convinced that they have an authentic connection with God, but they are turned off by church rules that they see as unnecessary at best, and destructive at worst. Many of them have been hurt by judgmental congregations, and they aren’t about to risk being hurt again! They are eager to help in the work of feeding the hungry and clothing the naked, but they aren’t going to join a church to do it. Have they heard the voice of Jesus? Are they in the sheepfold, or are they grazing right outside the fence?

And what about people of other religions? Surely we can say that they’re outside the sheepfold? After all, you can’t be a Buddhist and believe in Jesus – can you? Technically, probably you can’t. Each one of us lives by only one set of beliefs (unless you have a split personality). But what about someone like the Dali Lama? Surely he lives his life in agreement with the principles that Jesus taught? He respects all people… he loves God’s creation… and he urges peaceful solutions to disagreements wherever he goes. I have to admit that where behavior is concerned, he’s a better Christian than I am! I say that I follow Jesus’ teachings, but he does a better job living them than I do.

Maybe a way out of our dilemma is to admit that we’re not giving enough credit to the power of the Shepherd. Is it possible that the Spirit of Christ works even where we don’t see it working? Might Jesus be at work in other religions as well as our own? Doesn’t it seem to be a little arrogant of us to assume that Christians are the only ones who can hear Jesus’ voice calling us into the sheepfold?

A wise Greek Orthodox priest once said to me, “I know where God’s grace is; but I am not willing to say where it isn’t.” He had experienced God’s grace for himself; and he knew that God’s Spirit was working in his congregation. But he was not willing to exclude the possibility that God’s grace was at work anywhere else. After all, God is… well… God; and we all affirm that God’s grace is the greatest power in the universe.

Maybe my priest friend is on to something. I have experienced God’s grace in my own life. I know that there are no limits on Jesus’ love. I know that the Spirit works in places and in ways that I cannot even begin to imagine. So, instead of trying to decide who’s “in” and who’s “out,” I intend to love all the “other sheep” and to pray for them, whoever and wherever they may be. And I will trust Jesus’ promise that in the end, there will indeed be one flock, and one shepherd, however God will bring that about.

We know where grace is! Who knows how – and where – Jesus is calling his other sheep!