"The
good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep...I am the good shepherd…" (John 10:11, 14 NIV)
The Bible sometimes describes Christians as
sheep. God wants to say something important regarding this image. The sheep are
very dependent on their shepherd and so we too must be dependent on Jesus.
But the image
also speaks strongly about the shepherd’s character. He rejoices over His
flock, He does all He can to provide the sheep with the best feed, the greenest
pasture, and fresh water and He shields them from storms, enemies, sickness and
parasites that could easily cause illness.
Not all people
will want to identify themselves with sheep that are weak and dependent. Many
people would prefer to be strong, self sufficient and independent, and this
description probably suits our human nature. But it’s in the dependence on the
Shepherd that the sheep’s security lies.
Chrystostomon, in
the fifth century is reported to have said: ”As long as we are lambs we will be
victorious, because the Shepherd protects us, but as soon as we become wolves
we will lose, because then the Lord forsakes us, because He only protects lambs
not wolves.”
Prayer
Jesus, help me today to enter into Your
protection and to accept Your care for me as one in Your beloved flock.
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