Sheep

Do you know how loved you are by the Good Shepherd.

Jesus tells a beautiful parable about just how much He loves us.

Luke 15:4-6 The Passion Translation

4–5 “There once was a shepherd with a hundred lambs, but one of his lambs wandered away and was lost. So, the shepherd left the ninety-nine lambs out in the open field and searched in the wilderness for that one lost lamb. He didn’t stop until he finally found it. With exuberant joy he raised it up and placed it on his shoulders, carrying it back with cheerful delight! 6 Returning home, he called all his friends and neighbours together and said, ‘Let’s have a party! Come and celebrate with me the return of my lost lamb. It wandered away, but I found it and brought it home."

You are not insignificant and un-noticed in the midst of a huge flock. He watches for you personally, He knows you by Name, He delights in you, He protects and provides for you! He cares about every detail of your life. There is a wonderful bond between the sheep and their shepherd.

But sometimes we wonder off (Isaiah 53:6) searching for some delight that we think our Good Shepherd cannot or will not provide for us, that’s when we get into danger. Away from Him we are vulnerable and at risk from predators such as wolves, (especially when they disguise themselves to look harmless). As simple sheep we are easily fooled!

Remember John 10:10

“The thief’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all it’s fullness”

Don’t stray away from the Shepherd!

John 10 also says that our Perfect Shepherd was willing to lay down His very life for His sheep that’s how much He loves each one of us individually! How incredible is that?

There is no place that He won't go to rescue us!

Sheep aren’t known for their great wisdom or intelligence but mostly they have the good sense to follow The Shepherd. It is the most beautiful place to be, close to Him in the pasture, munching on the sweet green meadow grass provided by Him. Drinking from the still waters in an oasis of peace, where He restores and revives our life (Psalm 23 Passion Translation). To know and be known by The Shepherd is our constant delight.

John 10:27 reminds us that His sheep recognise His Voice above all others. Whose voice are we listening to today, whose footsteps are we following?

We don't need to know the future or understand why He is leading us in a particular direction we just need to follow Him our Great Wise Shepherd and trust the details to Him. Sheep do not have a care in the world they just follow.

I was once on a farm in Cumbria England and I shall never forget the sight or the sound of a field full of sheep rushing bleating towards the farmer as soon as He came into view. They knew that everything they had need of he would provide!! And in response our hearts cry out “We will follow You to the ends of the earth!”

We don't need to have "a care in the world"

We are silly sheep sometimes and do silly things but he always loves us and tends to our every need. Our Kind Shepherd knows best!