“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. (John 10:14-15)
To paraphrase the immortal words of Indiana Jones: Sheep. Why did it have to be sheep?
Why didn’t He call Himself “the good lion tamer” and compare us to the king of the jungle, a symbol of resourcefulness, courage, strength, and independence? He might have chosen the eagle, our national symbol of self-sufficiency, pride, and autonomy.
Why did it have to be sheep?
In our culture, if you call someone “a sheep” it’s not a complement. Sheep aren’t very bright. They can’t defend themselves. Left alone, they’ll wander into all sorts of dangerous situations, so they must be protected even from themselves.
Parents don’t encourage their children to act like sheep. Accolades, fame, and fortune aren’t awarded to the sheep. As George Patton said, “You lead people; you herd sheep.” No one wants to be herded like sheep.
We celebrate the self-made man, the rugged individual, the pioneer, and the entrepreneur. It’s difficult to imagine a sheep emblazoned on our national seal. We don’t associate sheep with the freedom and liberty we prize so highly. Someone once said, “Eagles fly alone; they are but sheep which always herd together.”
I don’t think most folks consciously aspire to be like sheep. But Jesus said He is the good shepherd and we are His sheep.
Why did it have to be sheep?
I suppose some of it’s due to cultural differences, a divergent perspective of the nature of sheep and the role of shepherd. But I don’t think we can escape the central message.
We were created to follow God. We weren’t designed to “stand on our own two feet.” Whenever we try to tackle life on our own, ignoring God’s instructions, we’re going to get it wrong. Sometimes, like sheep, we follow the herd without asking whether it’s going in the proper direction. Sometimes we wander off on our own until we encounter danger from which we can’t escape.
Whatever the case, whenever we don’t follow the good shepherd, we’re likely to get in trouble.
This doesn’t mean we’re not responsible for doing our best. It doesn’t mean we’re not supposed to be leaders or enjoy the freedom we have in Christ.
What it means is that we’re to lead and exercise our freedom under the guidance of the shepherd. We’re to love and serve according to His example. We’re to follow His direction.
And it means one other thing.
“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost. (Matthew 18:12-14)
Even when we wander away and get life wrong, the good shepherd won’t give up on us. No matter our past, He comes after us. He’s not willing to let anything separate us from Him. He’ll face any danger, even death on a cross, to bring us home.
Past tragedy and present circumstances, no matter how horrible, cannot prevent the good shepherd from bringing us back to Him.
On second thought, I’m glad it’s sheep.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth 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 thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. (Psalm 23)
What can you release into the hands of the good shepherd?
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