The Shepherd And The Sheep

John 10:14-15 – I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me — just as the Father knows me and I know the Father — and I lay down my life for the sheep. (NIV)

When I was tidying up the other day, I came across a postcard I received last summer from a friend who was vacationing in Scotland. The picture was of a young boy shepherding a flock of sheep. As I looked at it, I thought of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.

Jesus is the Shepherd. We are the sheep. Jesus said: "I am the good shepherd. My sheep hear my voice and follow me." A shepherd leads, guides, and protects his sheep. Jesus even gave his life for his sheep. The Bible says that all we, like sheep, have gone astray. I love the story of the lost sheep. Jesus leaves the ninety-nine and goes searching for one lost sheep. When he finds it, he gently gathers it in his arms and carries it home, rejoicing.

Are we, the sheep, hearing the voice of the Shepherd? Are we, the sheep, following the Shepherd?

Let us read the words of today's music carefully and ponder them throughout the day:

There were ninety and nine that safely lay
In the shelter of the fold;
But one was out on the hills away,
Far off from the gates of gold,
Away on the mountains wild and bare,
Away from the tender Shepherd's care,
Away from the tender Shepherd's care.

"Lord, Thou hast here Thy ninety and nine,
Are they not enough for Thee?"
But the Shepherd made answer, "This of Mine
Has wandered away from Me:
And although the road be rough and steep,
I go to the desert to find my sheep,
I go to the desert to find my sheep."

But none of the ransomed ever knew
How deep were the waters crossed;
Nor how dark was the night that the Lord passed through,
Ere He found His sheep that was lost.
Out in the desert He heard its cry,
Sick and helpless and ready to die,
Sick and helpless and ready to die.

And all through the mountains, thunder-riven,
And up from the rocky steep,
There arose a cry to the gate of heaven,
"Rejoice, I have found My sheep!"
And the angels echoed around the throne,
"Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own,
Rejoice for the Lord brings back His own."

– Elizabeth Cecilia Clephane (1830-1869)

Psalm 95:7 – For He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care. (NIV)

Are we, the sheep, hearing the voice of the Shepherd? Are we, the sheep, following the Shepherd?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for Jesus, the Good Shepherd who gave His life for us, His sheep. Help us to hear His voice and to follow Him. In His name we pray. Amen.

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