“I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” John 10:11 (ESV)
As I was pondering the Christmas season we are in, my thoughts turned to the shepherds.
Growing up with an interstate truck driving dad, I used to help him load sheep or cattle onto the large double and triple decker trailers. I stood on the side guiding fence at the cattle yards, all ready to prompt the animals to get up into the trailer. There was one great difference between the cattle and sheep that I saw time and time again. Apart from they way they looked …… and smelled, I would constantly have to tap the cattle on the rump to get them to move. (As a side note, I could never use anything that would hurt them plus, they were way bigger than me.) When the men eventually got the first sheep moving, the rest would instinctively follow. Only occasionally did we have to help move a stubborn sheep along.
Have you ever thought about why an angel appeared to shepherds in a field to announce the arrival of the Saviour? Why were the shepherds told and it not announced to the rulers in the land? As I thought about this, it seemed even more fitting that the shepherds should be one of the first people to know. (Luke 2:8-20)
Jesus is our Good Shepherd and we are His sheep. (John 10:1-18)
A shepherd’s job is to protect the sheep – at all costs. Shepherds were not weak, fearful men. Before David was King over Israel, he was a shepherd who wrestled with bears and lions. (1 Samuel 17:34) The sheep were that important to him that he did whatever it took to protect them. He risked his own life and was prepared to die for the one who wandered away. Sound familiar? Shepherds also guided the sheep with their voice. The sheep knew who to follow by listening to the shepherd. They recognised his voice. We too must learn how to recognise the Lord’s voice if we are to follow Him and not be led astray by the enemy.
There was only one way for the stock to get onto the trailer – through the door. There was no other way.
In the book of John, chapter 10, Jesus declares that HE is the Good Shepherd. Jesus says how He is the ONLY door for the sheep. A good shepherd, who owns the sheep, lays down his life for the sheep that are in his care. The shepherd knows each sheep by name. He notices if even one is missing. As soon as that happens, the shepherd leaves the flock and searches for the lost sheep until he or she is found. (Matthew 18:12-13) You might think, “Why bother? Isn’t it more important to keep the others safe? Who cares if you only lose one, at least the others are safe.” Think about it, seriously. If you have children and the ‘sheep’ that was lost was your own child, would you say, “Well, it doesn’t matter. I have 5 more (or 2 or 3 or 1).” No, of course you wouldn’t. Why do we imagine that Jesus would be any different? Aren’t we all God’s children?
Why does Jesus liken us, His followers, to sheep and not cattle? Sheep follow their leader in submission. It only takes one of the sheep to follow the leader (the shepherd) and all the rest follow. That’s how we are meant to be. The sheep know that they are protected by their shepherd. They feel secure. That’s how we are meant to be. Follow Jesus in complete submission knowing that He will protect you and walk with you. All anxiety and fear will have to disappear.
You are His child and He will do everything to bring you to Himself and protect you – at all costs. Jesus has already given Himself to die for sin. He has already proven His love and care for you. Choose to accept it today.
As we come to celebrate the birth of our precious Saviour, remember Him as your Good Shepherd. We see pictures of Jesus as a baby but remember that He is no longer a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, nor is He hanging on a cross, or again wrapped in swaddling cloth in the tomb. He is alive, a strong and mighty Shepherd who is at the ready to protect His sheep (you) – no matter the cost. Our enemy, Satan, has already been defeated by Jesus Christ, our Saviour.
Come to Jesus today.
Don’t step away from Jesus at this time. He loves you so deeply. Nothing you have done could ever stop Him from loving you and racing to your rescue. He is not shocked by anything that you may have done. He is your ever present Help in times of trouble. (Psalm 46:1)
I will leave you with this verse from Psalm 100:3(ESV),
“… we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.”
Step onto His pasture today by saying to Jesus, “I am here. I will follow wherever you lead.”
Merry Christmas to you and I pray that Jesus will bless you in a very personal way today. He is amazing and He loves you. That will never change.
(Photo Credit – www.pexels.com)
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