The image of the good shepherd and the flock is very old, it is common in the catacombs of Rome and dates back to the first century. Why sheep? They are the amongst the most stupid of domesticated animals known for blindly following. Did Jesus characterise himself as the good shepherd and his flock? If so he seems to be cynically mocking the people that follow him. If he needed a domestic animal to create a metaphor he had the choice of many (eg camels, goats, horses). The Gaderine Swine story shows that Jesus was familiar with pigs, much more intelligent animals (smarter then dogs). Why didn't he use the methaphor the good swineherd and his church a herd of swine? Regarding his followers as sheep Jesus seems to be acting as a cynical conman. Of course he was executed as a criminal and his own people the Jews, wrote in writings contemporanious with the gospels that he was a " bastard heretic sorcerer" and this is why he got the chop. Don't Christians mind being sheep?
2006-09-19 13:53:29 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Well perhaps Lemmings is more appropriate. I think sheep stop and think about stuff.
Oh, I'm just kidding your Highnesses.
2006-09-19 13:56:46 · answer #1 · answered by tarro 3 · 4⤊ 2⤋
This is not about the Christians only...this is about the people generally. Of course it would be sounding greater if we were God's lions or tigers, or soaring eagles etc.
But without tender, loving care sheep self pollute their surroundings, they need to be near still water, in peace or they get stressed out, by themselves they do not survive...
God never mocks us. But we mock God. That is how many decide to use their free will. He still let us to have it, He can take our refusal...but can you take the consequences there in the end...
His gift of eternal life is free, but it was not cheap...if the wages of the sin was death before He sent His only Son...what do you think the punishment is going to be when you spit on the cross...
Bully around here on questions and answers, you will have your supporters. But you make it just easier for God to show you at the last day.."Look, here it is black on white. This is what you chose to do with your free will"
I do not by any means mind to be a sheep, when I have a such a great Shepherd...who will take care of me forever. And if I do suffer here...He has the whole eternity to make it up to me.
2006-09-22 05:02:17 · answer #2 · answered by SeeTheLight 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Jesus used the shepherd as a metaphor instead of, say camels, horses, etc. because sheep gather in flocks and follow the shepherd. Although I find christians to follow blindly and stupidly, when jesus made the reference it wasn't to show their stupidity, just as a metaphor to express how they should follow his word.
2006-09-19 14:18:34 · answer #3 · answered by youngliver2000 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Very good question. In "Caesar's Messiah" by Joseph Atwill (1) the author explores the idea of the gospels as satire... a well-hidden, but intentional satire written not by followers, but by scribes within in the Flavian house of Roman Caesars.
Specifically, Atwill believes Flavius Josephus had a primary role in the creation of Christianity, not as a fulfillment of prophecy, but as a fake messiah story to get the Sicari Jews to quit trying to overthrow the Romans who were trying to get the Jews to give up monotheism -- at the same time, the gospels have hidden stories according to Atwill. Does it not seem strange that it is well accepted that some gospels quote directly from others, yet in some places, the narratives contradict each other?
The resurrection is full of these contradictions.
The sheep thing is in the OT too, so I doubt it is part of the satire known as the synoptic gospels, but I would expect the Romans made good use of the obvious imagery you present here.
One might also wonder about the scene at the crucifix where Jesus asks, "Why hath thou forsaken me?" He was the scripture whiz kid for Chr... ooops... for gosh sakes. He knew darn well why. It would be like Monica looking at Clinton and asking why he took his pants down.
Atwill's thesis includes a theory that, in the gospels, the Christ character is actually Flavius Titus, disguised to get the Jews to worship Caesar as a god without them even realizing it. Before you just dismiss this, read his backup information.
2006-09-19 14:24:45 · answer #4 · answered by JoeFunSmith 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
One of the first images of Jesus in the early church depicted Him as the Good Shepherd taking care of His sheep. Jesus the Good Shepherd cares for His sheep as they journey together as His body, the church. He cares for them as they gather around His presence in worship, where, through the Gospel and the Sacraments, He offers them the gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation. NO I dont mind, its all about love.
2006-09-19 14:21:43 · answer #5 · answered by K 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have correctly noted that sheep are stupid. They are also near sighted and they will blindly follow the leader of the flock right into a ditch. They can't survive on their own either.
Christians don't mind being compared to such pitiful animals because we humbly recognize that in comparison to our Shepherd we are all of these things and that it is only by having Jesus as our Shepherd that we can find our way to Heaven while enjoying green pastures and still waters here on earth.
Psalms 23:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
2006-09-19 14:25:34 · answer #6 · answered by Martin S 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
We are "followers" of the shepherd, so no, we really don't mind being sheep. Led to the still waters to drink, lie down and get some much-needed rest from this crazy worldly life. Ahhhh...
2006-09-19 15:15:39 · answer #7 · answered by Tuna-San 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Because Jesus is the shepherd. It's metaphorical.
2006-09-19 13:57:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Sheep blindly follow their shephard, without questioning where they're being lead.
It's more of an insult coming from a logical person, whereas it's a compliment coming from a christian.
I, for one, will not be lead blindly into the slaughterhouse, thank you.
2006-09-19 14:06:09 · answer #9 · answered by ronintama 2 · 4⤊ 3⤋
Jesus calls them sheep.
2006-09-19 13:56:52 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋