I have other sheep that do not come from this sheepfold. I must bring them too, and they will listen to my voice, so that there will be one flock and one shepherd.
John 10:16 NET
Jesus was speaking to a Jewish audience here–the Jewish sheepfold. And Jesus had sheep among them–those who would listen to and follow his voice (John 10:3-4). But Jesus tells them they were not the only sheepfold where Jesus had sheep. Jesus would be calling his sheep out from among the Gentiles as well. And together, Jew and Gentile, they would make up one flock having one shepherd.
What does it mean to be one flock? Does it require that we all look alike, worship alike, and have identical beliefs? Or is some variation allowed? And, if so, how much? And how do we relate to those who are different?
Even before the Gentile mission began, there were divisions within the Church (Acts 6:1-7). The addition of Gentiles caused further division. And, as the years have passed, the Church has become divided into countless traditions and denominations. How do I apply Jesus’ teaching about one flock and one shepherd to the condition of the Church today?
I have dear brothers and sisters around the world today. Many of them do not look like me. Their worship services may seem strange and uncomfortable to me. And there are differences in what we believe and how we practice our faith. But what we have in common is more important than our differences. We have one shepherd, we recognize and listen to his voice, and we seek to follow him as best we can.
Rather than be suspicious of those whose beliefs may vary from ours and who practice their faith differently, we should learn to embrace all who follow Jesus–the Jesus described in the Bible. I do not need to compromise my beliefs or conform to their way of following Jesus. But I should treat them as beloved brothers and sisters in the one family of God, as members of Jesus’ flock.
