Matthew is an interesting writer. This passage in Matthew’s testimony is filled with metaphors. Intriguing metaphors. Even some mixed metaphors in fact. In paragraph one for example, we are instructed on “harvesting sheep”!

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.

That’s kind of cool, right? I like that. Harvesting sheep!

Well, when you think about it, harvesting is a form of gathering. So Jesus is really talking about gathering sheep, the ones who have wandered off, the ones without a shepherd and therefore without a home or pen to come back to, those …