I remember in my sophomore year Theology course, the professor asked us to rank the four Gospels in order of favorite to least. I immediately placed John at the bottom (I was not alone). What I disliked about the Gospel of John then is that he usually writes in riddles, but there are two nice elements in today’s passage. One is an observation, and the other is more straightforward.

The observation is the frequent comparison of followers to sheep in the Bible. There are likely some historical and geographical reasons for this, but a sheep is not exactly a flattering, sought–after animal. But is it an accurate comparison?

Are we attentive? Sometimes. Do we stray? Sure. Do we wander off and get lost? Often. Are we oblivious? Of course. Do we have to be shown the right way repetitively? Definitely. Perhaps the selection of sheep is actually quite intentional regardless of the other historical and cultural contexts.

The more straightforward takeaway is the reference to faith. Faith inherently does not have proof. It is not easy and often not popular, but it is a magnificent gift. Only with proof will the Jews in this passage believe Jesus—they want confirmation. His works in the Gospels are signs, not proofs. And in this, Jesus refers to his sheep—with all of their shortcomings—as followers and believers who will receive eternal life.

Faith is not only accessible to the elite, the brilliant, and the popular. Most of the apostles were modest blue-collar laborers. Faith is open to anyone willing to believe, even those of us who might share more traits with the sheep than we may want to admit.