I feel for the folks in this week’s gospel who gathered around Jesus, asking him if he is the messiah. They want to know if Jesus will fulfill the ancient expectations of a king who will overthrow outside rule, bring about peace and preside over a reign of peace and religious faithfulness. Jesus has come to bring so much more than the people are looking for, but it is so unexpected that they just don’t get it. All this shepherd imagery just doesn’t match what they are expecting, so they cannot really hear what Jesus is saying.
Jesus has, in fact, told them plainly his priorities and values through his teachings and his actions. Inclusion for the poor. Freedom for the oppressed. Healing for the sick. Welcome for the rejected and disenfranchised. Compassion for all God’s beloved children. They were not expecting the messiah to be concerned with connection and community and love. Jesus’ priorities are so far from what the people are expecting, they simply do not understand him or believe.
We hear Jesus’ voice, we see his actions, and we come to understand. Jesus’ priorities show us what it means to follow him.