SHEEP HAVE LONG BEEN a domesticated animal, perhaps as early as 10,000 B.C. As such, they have always required areas to graze, a water source, and pens for protection. Additionally, to effectively move the animals from one resource to another safely, they have required a shepherd. The shepherd not only manages the sheep, but takes care of their individual needs. Perhaps one breaks a leg, or wanders off—the shepherd finds the lost ones, and nurtures the injured ones. He also protects them from wild animals that might prey upon them.
Scripture often pictures the average person as a sheep, and the N.T. clearly uses this metaphor in respect to Jesus as our Great Shepherd. As Jesus began his earthly ministry, he “went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matt. 9:35-36)
Just as the sheep have a protective relationship with a shepherd, so they also have a prey/predator relationship with dangerous enemies. Scripturally, the enemy of our souls is the devil and his minions. Jesus warns us of this. “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” (Matt. 7:15) But ‘sheep’ oftentimes—sadly, more often than not—are confused by outward appearances. So Jesus adds, “By their fruit you will recognize them.” (Matt. 7:20) Though he uses agricultural analogies conversant to the times to express outward indications of incongruity, it is apparent that he is referring to using wise observation to distinguish motives from actions.
If it were that simple, we’d never get into trouble with our choices. Just watch what people say and compare that to what they do, and, voila, the obvious will become clear to us, and we’ll remove ourselves from the relationship to safety, whatever that means in that particular circumstance. But sheep have a basic nature—not the brightest of animals, if they are offered water when thirsty or grain when hungry, they can be led astray from their true shepherd. The devil is “the father of lies” (John 8:44d), and the tempter during our time of need, even as he tempted Jesus during his long wilderness fast: “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” (Matt. 4:3) Just as Jesus relied on the word of God, so we also need to rely on a trustworthy power greater than ourselves.
It is Jesus who is our ‘outside source.’ In an extended metaphor recorded by the apostle John, he says “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. Whoever enters through me will be saved.” (John 10:7, 9) The clear implication is that we find security and well-being through him; somehow, our souls are placed where the ‘wolf’ can’t get at them. “You will come in and go out, and find pasture.” (John 10:9b)
We can come and go from our places of protection to our place of sustenance to where our thirsts are satisfied, and not fear for our lives. Jesus tells us that “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10) There is a clear distinction between the true shepherd and the false, the one ‘in sheep’s clothing.’ Jesus adds this as central to our understanding of our relationship to himself; it is not just what he does, it is why he does what he does that is so critically important to us: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)
Paul underscores the depth of this relationship between Jesus and us; between the shepherd and the sheep—between the ‘lost sheep,’ and the one who was sent to find them (cf. Luke 19:10) “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:6-8)
The bonds in such a life-from-death relationship are deep and strong. Our gratitude, having awakened from the torpor of sin and the chains it places on our souls and spirits, quickly aligns to “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” (Heb. 12:2) We eagerly watch his every move and motive, and they are perfectly aligned with our authentic needs for safety and sustenance. We learn to trust him in all our circumstances, especially so when we are ‘harassed and helpless.’ At such times that might otherwise be confusing, we instead know him, know the truth of him, know to trust in him. “He calls his own sheep by name, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” (John 10:3-5)
When we follow Jesus, we are following the One who’s defining mission is to lead us to the safest pasture, the best grazing, and the purest water. David presaged this deepest relational aspect in the Psalms. “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.” (Psa. 23:2-3a)
Though we may not see danger, he is always aware and always on guard on our behalf. Yes, there is an enemy of our souls, who “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Pet. 5:8) But more importantly, we are being watched over and guarded by the one that scripture promised. “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” (1 John. 3:8) This ‘work’ of Jesus was completed at the cross on our behalf, and can be fully trusted. The ‘sheep pen’ we have entered is this: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20)
Q. Am I fully trusting in his grace this hour; am I washed in the Blood of the Lamb?
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