“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." —John 10:10
Why do we favor certain desires over others? What drives human behavior? When we choose what to wear, what to binge-watch on Netflix, or which hobbies to engage in, how do we decide which way to go? Throughout life, what shapes our identity and behavior as we mature? French philosopher René Girard offers one explanation: the mimetic theory of desire. He describes human behavior this way:
“Man is the creature who does not know what to desire, and he turns to others to make up his mind. We desire what others desire because we imitate their desires." —Girard, “Generative Scapegoating”
This theory is rooted in the concept of mimesis, which has a wide range of meanings. Here, I want to focus on one: imitation—the part of us that looks up to someone or something to shape our identity. Consciously or not, we are drawn to archetypes that reflect who we aspire to be.
Think back to when you were young and were asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Who did you look up to? A parent? A close friend? As adults, we may feel we have more agency over our behaviors and identity. Yet much of our consumption habits have been studied and shaped by a multibillion-dollar industry designed to capture our attention through social media and ads. Our behaviors are influenced by who we watch, read, and follow. My point is not to demonize this aspect of human nature, but a call to pay attention to our attention. Author Skye Jethani offers this metaphor in his daily devotional With God Daily:
“Humans are like mirrors we reflect the image of what we behold. This means purpose and meaning are not found within ourselves, despite what our culture might proclaim. Instead, purpose and meaning captivates our hearts which are then reflected by our lives."
In today's gospel reading Jesus is explaining a parable that was just told to the Pharisees several verses earlier. This parable focuses on the "gate" and then on the "good shepherd."
“Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.”
—John 10:1-5
One aspect that may not be familiar to modern readers is this "thief" and "bandit" Jesus is referencing. At that time, leaders of anti-Roman revolutionary movements would make messianic claims, that they would be the ones to lead Israel and liberate the nation from the oppression of the Romans. These individuals were often referred to as bandits. Many of these groups looked to political violence as a means of salvation to save themselves and their nation from their Roman occupiers.
Here we see Jesus calling out these false idols by claiming that the only way to save Israel is through himself. It is the Christ path that is calling the flock to an abundant life. Jesus is presenting humanity with an archetype for a new humanity, one we can mimic by following him. The bandits and the “hired hands”, the zealots and Pharisees, do not have the flock’s best interest at heart. To hear and follow their voice only leaves the flock abandoned or worse. The flock knows and pays attention to the good shepherd.
“I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me,” —John 10:14
Who are you paying attention to be saved, to provide you with a sense of identity? Political leaders? Cultural icons? A faceless algorithm? I believe our identity is an amalgamation of our biology and environment. Of these influences, "the gate" I choose to enter is within my control. Christ, being the Good Shepherd, shows us the way to be fully human—a pathway that leads us to open pastures.
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