John 10:11 AMPC I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd risks and lays down His [own] life for the sheep.
There is always the sound of sheep on the Roughs which we hear from our garden.
Basically the sheep are left to fend for themselves with only occasional visits from the farmer. So they are exposed to any danger from dogs, foxes or even humans.
I remember an occasion where I saw a ewe in distress, stuck the the dyke and phoned the farmer. It took him ages to arrive and tend to her. It seemed to me that he had no personal care for that sheep.
This wasn't the case in Bible times. Shepherd's lived with their flocks and watched over them, always on hand to guard, guide and lead them to good pasture..
If you do a search for "shepherd" you will find many of the famous biblical characters were shepherds at some stage:
Jacob, Rachel, Joseph's brothers, Moses, David etc.
Yet not all shepherds had the best interests of the sheep at heart. That is why Jesus specifically calls Himself the Good Shepherd.
In Isaiah 40:11 He is prophesied:
He will feed His flock like a shepherd: He will gather the lambs in His arm, He will carry them in His bosom and will gently lead those that have their young.
The best known Psalm 23 proclaims "the Lord is my shepherd" - a very personal relationship.
As frail, vulnerable humans [no matter how invincible we seem to be] we all need a shepherd to guide us throughout our lives.
Look how Jesus saw the crowds of His day, we are no different:
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Matthew 9:36
How important it is to follow the right one who won't lead us astray and expose us to danger.
With the many conflicting voices of opinion in our very vocal world, it is vital that we listen to and follow Jesus, our Good Shepherd.
He says that his sheep know His voice.
Are we listening? Are we taking time to stop and discern His leading through the very confusing times in which we live?
Visit this beautiful Psalm 23 afresh today and claim it for your life:
The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.
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