By Sarah Houston
John 10:27 “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (NIV)
I was walking in Cornwall Park enjoying seeing the new lambs in the fields, so carefree and content having their mother close by their side. This reminded me I have a Good Shepherd too, who takes good care of me. He is loving, caring, patient, kind, my helper, friend, protector
Psalm 23:1 “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (ESV)
Luke 12:32 “Fear not little flock” (ESV). Jesus has promised that he will always take good care of us.
In the bible, we read passages about sheep, lambs, flocks, and the good shepherd. Many times, we are liken to sheep.
Below are some examples:
- Sheep don’t have any sense of direction they will just follow each other. That’s why we need a shepherd to guide us.
Isaiah 53:6 “All we like sheep have gone astray” (ESV)
- Sheep are helpless, they need a shepherd.
Matthew 9:36 “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (NIV)
Sheep recognize the shepherd’s voice.
John 10:27 “My sheep hear my voice, and they follow me.”
- Sheep cannot carry heavy loads.
Psalm 55:22 “Cast your burden on the Lord and He will sustain you.” (ESV)
- Sheep will take the easiest way, not necessarily the right path.
Psalm 23:4 “He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.”
- Sheep cannot look after themselves when hurt.
Psalm 147:3 “He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds.” (NIV)
- Sheep are valuable to the shepherd; they provide for all his needs.
John 1:29 “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (ESV)
Jesus has provided a way to heaven for us through His sacrificial death on the cross. Remember to give thanks today for our gentle and loving Good Shepherd, and to always stay close by His side.
The shepherd knows his sheep. He calls them by name. When we see a crowd, we see exactly that, a crowd, filling a stadium or flooding a mall. When we see a crowd, we see people, not persons, but people. A herd of humans, a flock of faces. That’s what we see. But not so with The Shepherd. To him every face is different. Every face is a story. Every face is a child. Every child has a name. The one with the sad eyes, that’s Sally. The old fellow with one eyebrow up and the other down, Harry’s his name. And the young one with the limp? He’s an orphan with no brothers, that’s Joey.
The Shepherd knows his sheep. He knows each one by name. The Shepherd knows you. He knows your name. And he will never forget it. “See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands” – Isaiah 49:16 (NLT).
Sarah Houston is the Activity Coordinator at our Drop-in Centre in Auckland. She brings great amounts of wisdom and amazing bible teachings to the Drop-in Centre meetings.