Long ago, a “field worker” with extended outdoor shifts looked around at those in his charge – a flock of sheep. In a prayerful state of mind, he observed: I’m a lot like these sheep. Through most of the day I’m thinking about my next meal and where I need to go next, and where I can take a break when I’m tired. And what I do for these sheep is a bit like what my heavenly Father does for me: taking care of what I need, leading me to refreshing places, and keeping me safe through dark valleys and enemy territory. Then staying with me, guiding all through my life with mercy, and even after!
So one of our favorite psalms was inspired. One that Jesus must have had in mind when he pictured himself as our “Good Shepherd.” As starkly distant as our environment is from a field with sheep, what did Jesus show us about his relationship with us that fits for these days?
The “Good” Shepherd. So like a good boss or a good ballplayer knows how to do the job, our Lord knows what it takes to take care of what we need. But the contrast in John 10 is with a robber who comes to take advantage of the sheep. Or a hired hand who abandons the sheep when danger approaches. Like we need in a
leader of a family or a business or a nation, someone “good” can be trusted. Who is ready even to lay himself down for the good of the sheep. Our Shepherd protects as he guides us where we need to go.
“I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” This Shepherd remembers our name. He hears our prayers. He understands our past, our desires, our direction. It’s up to us to keep listening and watching for where he is leading. While we stay together with others who are also following the shepherd. All the instructions he has left us
make the way usually plain enough. But sometimes his guidance is subtle. Small steps on any one day. But eventually his path leads toward a profoundly different destination than we would have gone on our own.
Trustworthy. Competent. Caring. But one way this Shepherd is unlike one who would stick with only his original flock. “I have other sheep, not of this pen, that I also must bring.” Even when it means leaving the others for a bit to find one who has wandered off. Or to claim one who did not have any shepherd. So the sheep who
know their shepherd begin to take on his heart. Ready to welcome others into the flock who need such a Shepherd just as we do.
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