Jesus is called The Good Shepherd and we are called to follow Jesus…so we too must be good shepherds to others. Let’s go to Matthew 9:35-38: Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Jesus used the analogy of himself as the shepherd. It is a popular theme today. It is on the window behind me here in the church….the loving, caring shepherd we want to know. Then we read these verses…
‘Jesus was in Galilee’…his home area…visiting the towns and villages…the Greek translation says cities and villages…and at the time the cities were protected places while the villages were open hamlets of shacks and tents. It would be sort of like the difference between Sumas with its boundaries and municipal jurisdiction and the unincorporated cluster of homes in over in Clearbrook…protected areas and open areas. So, it means he went everywhere.
‘Teaching in the places where people pray and meet." He preached the good news of the kingdom. Indeed, he spoke of himself and yet he spoke of the teachings of the Father…His Sermon on the Mount was likely taught over and over. And just like John the Baptist, he preached repentance that leads to forgiveness.