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BY CARLETTA ALLEN

One of the perennial word pictures of Christ throughout Scripture is that of the shepherd. Today we are invited to see God in shepherd?s clothing. This vision can also be a mirror for us: which are we sheep or wolves, protectors or predators?

Just a few weeks ago we, the priesthood of all believers, raised our voices in one accord in the refrain of 'Alleluia, Christ is Risen!' The popular image of the Good Shepherd, triumphant with crown and scepter in hand, was on display throughout Christendom.

Yet, how quickly we forget the image of the angry Jesus, raging at the money changers in the temple. How easy it is for us, in the afterglow of resurrection alleluias, to acknowledge that the Good Shepherd is also the Tough Shepherd.

This Good Shepherd is not just all kindness and gentleness. It is true that his yoke is easy because it is the news that we are a forgiven and redeemed people. Yet, his insistence in accepting even the most degraded and avoided people in his society, while making him gentle to them, made him tough to others.

Not everyone wanted to hear his message of 'your sins are forgiven' because that radical idea threatened the destruction of the whole social, economic and political edifice of his time.

In a culture of temple corruption, the forgiveness of sins was the last thing those in power wanted to hear. The health of the system depended on the need for a place where distinction and social status could be bought. The outcast, the marginalized, those easily stigmatized as 'sinners' were a social and economic necessity for that economy.

The Tough Shepherd loved the sheep enough to restore their dignity to them by ignoring the rules about who belonged where and who were 'proper' members of the Kingdom. For the least, the last and the lost - the social outcasts who were starved at life?s banquet feast - the Lord set a table in full view of their enemies, anointed them with oil like royal guests and filled their cups to overflowing.

By taking on the scorn shown to them, he exposed, once and for all, society?s penchant for making scapegoats of 'the other.' At Calvary, Jesus became despised, so that the despised of the world might be revealed as honorable.

And so at Eastertide we proclaim with glad voices, 'He is risen!' Right here!

But it is not only the leprous, the crippled, poor, tax collectors, prostitutes and eunuchs who shout, 'He is Risen!' The whole creation shouts, 'You may have killed him but he lives on in me, and because He lives, I will never die.'

All creation declares that the Good Shepherd lives in each of us as we live his message and declare the 'works of the Lord!' All of us have the opportunity to embody the refusal of God Almighty to accept anything less than full hospitality for the people of God - all the people of God.

The Rev. Carletta Allen pastors Locust UMC in Columbia.

A DEVOTIONAL
for the Discipleship Adventure

Celebrate: Use this little Easter prayer for your table grace this week (teach the children the ancient call and response at the beginning): 'Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Thank you for your many gifts - the beauty of spring, the love of the Good Shepherd, food for our bodies and a place at your table. Remind us to keep open places for guests you send our way. Amen.'

Connect: Rev. Allen raises questions of hospitality in the community of faith. Hospitality, at its root, is about connecting in relationship. Who 'belongs' (and who doesn't) in your circle of friends? In your congregation? In your Sunday school class or small group? What steps do you need to take to be more Christ-like in this regard?

Develop: Using a concordance, search for the biblical passages that mention 'shepherd.' Using a biblical dictionary and/or commentary, look up 'shepherd.' What did you learn about the Good Shepherd, from both the old and new testaments? How did your understanding grow?

Serve: When next you serve at a soup kitchen or shelter, sit at the table and share a meal and conversation with at least one person who has come for help. Be on the lookout for glimpses of God in her or him.

Share: What is your story of how God lives on in you this week?