Today's readings portray God as the Good shepherd. But who are the sheep?

Acts 13:14,43-52
Psalm 100:1-3,5
Rev 7:9,14-17
John 10:27-30


But they, passing on from Perga, came to Antioch of Pisidia. They went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down. 

Now when the synagogue broke up, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas; who, speaking to them, urged them to continue in the grace of God. The next Sabbath almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, and blasphemed.

Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, and said, “It was necessary that God’s word should be spoken to you first. Since indeed you thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. For so has the Lord commanded us, saying,

‘I have set you as a light for the Gentiles,
    that you should bring salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth.’”

As the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of God. As many as were appointed to eternal life believed. The Lord’s word was spread abroad throughout all the region. But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, and stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and threw them out of their borders. But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came to Iconium. The disciples were filled with joy with the Holy Spirit. Acts 13:14,43-52

In this chapter of Acts, we see once again that it is God's grace that leads people to conversion. The Jews, fearful of losing control, refused to believe, but the Greeks (Gentiles), inspired by the Holy Spirit, were receptive to the words of Paul, the shepherd. 

Shout for joy to [the Lord], all you lands!
2     Serve [the Lord] with gladness.
    Come before his presence with singing.
3 Know that [the lord], he is God.
    It is he who has made us, and we are his.
    We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,
    into his courts with praise.
    Give thanks to him, and bless his name.
5 For [the lord] is good.
    His loving kindness endures forever,
    his faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 100:1-3,5

Psalm 100 is a song of thanksgiving to God, the Shepherd, by the Gentiles ("all the lands") for the mercy and care he bestows on his people, both Jew and Gentile. They acknowledge that God chose them by grace ("he made us") to become his followers ("the sheep of his pasture") and they accepted ("we are his"). Moreover, God's loving care will continue through all future generations.


After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could number, out of every nation and of all tribes, peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.

I told him, “My lord, you know.”

He said to me, “These are those who came out of the great tribulation. They washed their robes, and made them white in the Lamb’s blood. Therefore they are before the throne of God, they serve him day and night in his temple. He who sits on the throne will spread his tabernacle over them. They will never be hungry, neither thirsty any more; neither will the sun beat on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the middle of the throne shepherds them, and leads them to springs of waters of life. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Rev 7:9,14-17

John sees all God's children, Jew and Gentile, in heaven standing before the throne of Jesus, the Lamb, whose sacrificial blood has saved them.  Like the Good Shepherd, Jesus will satisfy all his sheep's needs. There will be no more hunger, thirst, or suffering of any kind. Because of Jesus, the sheep will drink from "springs of waters of (eternal) life."

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” John 10:27-30

John depicts the sheep as those who were called by Jesus and believed, i.e., their hearts were opened by grace and they accepted Jesus as their savior. Eternal life is now theirs and the evil one will never again be in a position to ensnare their souls. And by whose authority does Jesus speak? His own and God's, for He and the Father are one! Alleluia!

Now go and sanctify your life by loving and serving God and one another!

John