Frank

CLC, I think I understand your concern that no Christian leader presume to take over the unique relationship that the Lord Jesus Christ has with his flock, the Church. However, I don’t think what Jesus said and what Peter said are necessarily contradictory. In fact, I believe that what Peter teaches actually flows out the commission that Jesus gave him in John 21:15-18, to which you yourself have already refered. In both texts, Jesus is regarded as the Chief Shepherd, Peter and the other elders he came to represent, as under shepherds. And the under shepherds are gifted and called by the Chief Shepherd, to represent him and carry out the commission he gave them all, again represented by Peter, “Feed my lambs and take care of my sheep,” on which Peter elaborates in 1 Peter 5:1-5. P. H. Davis explains it this way:

Rather than dominating his house church, then, the elder is to lead by example: “being examples to the flock”. This concept of leadership is common in the NT. Jesus often presented himself as an example (Matt. 10:24-25; Mark 10:42-45; Luke 6:40; John 13:16; 15:20). Paul could write, “Walk according to the example you had in us” (Phi. 3:17) and “We gave an example to you so that you might imitate us” (2 Thess. 3:9), or even “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1; cf. Acts 20:35). Other leaders were also expected to be examples (1 Thess. 1:6-7; 1 Tim. 4:12; Tit. 2:7; Jas. 3:1-2). In fact, one could well argue that, following the pattern of the ancient world and especially of Judaism, teaching and leading was for the NT basically a matter of example rather than of lecture or command. Being an example fits well with the image of “flock,” for the ancient shepherd did not drive his sheep, but walked in front of them and called them to follow (cf. THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER, Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1990, pp.180f).

And as regards the parable in John 10:1-6, I don’t know how Cheryl or some others would interpret it, I briefly give you my take on it. I believe you would agree that in this parable. the Shepherd is the Lord Jesus; the flock of sheep is, of course, us Christians; and the thieves and robbers, according to the context, would refer to the Jewish leaders, who opposed Christ gathering his flock while trying to establish a flock of their own. But who or what does the gatekeeper and the sheep pen represent? Regarding this imagery, Merill C. Tenney writes,

The imagery of the first two paragraphs is based on the concept of the “sheep pen.” It was usually a rough stone or mud-brick structure, only partially roofed, if covered at all, or very often a cave in the hills. It had only one opening through which thge sheep could pass when they came in for the night. The pen served for the protection of the sheep against thieves and wild beasts. The thief, who would not have any right of access by the gate, used other means of entrance. He would not follow the lawful method of approach. “Thief” and “robber” are different in meaning. “Thief” (kleptes) implies subtelty and trickery; “robber” (lestes) connotes violence and plundering…The purpose of both was exploitation; neither was concerned for the welfare of the sheep (cf. “The Gospel of John,” THE EXPOSITOR’S BIBLE COMMENTARY, Zondervan, 1981, p. 107).

I believe the gatekeeper and the sheep pen represent the house church and the elder(s). Consider: The sheep are kept in a safe place where they are cared for and protected until their true Shepherd comes for them; the gatekeeper both knows the Sheperd and his sheep, and has a meaningful relationship with them both, but he never seeks to replace the Shepherd; and not only does he care for and feed the sheep, but does all he can to protect the sheep from thieves and robbers who would lure then away from the Shepherd and do them irreparable harm. So, on this basis, I believe there is perfect harmony between Jesus and Peter regarding how we are to understand the proper relationship between Christians, elders as gatekeepers, and Jesus as the True or Chief Shepherd. I don’t know if this resolves the problem for you, CLC, but that is how I would explain and reconcile these passages. I hope you find this helpful.