Shepherds and Sheep

Shepherds and sheep

I read about the shepherds who saw angels, heard a song, and went into Bethlehem to “see this thing that has happened.”  (Luke 2)  It brought to mind a memory of my own childhood. When I was a little kid, I traveled, with my Dad, who was a livestock dealer back then, to the wide open plains near Buffalo, Wyoming.  Men, living in small rolling homes in  remote areas, tended huge flocks of sheep! Yes, it's true. They were Basque immigrants, from an ancient culture in the Pyrenees Mountains on the border of Spain and France. Their people had a long tradition of being outstanding shepherds.  Helped only by their amazing dogs these shepherds made certain that the flock was safe and led to new pasture each day.  Using only the sound of his voice, and the assistance of his dog to round up stragglers, one shepherd led hundreds of sheep! It is an amazing memory still vivid in my mind a half century later!

Only a well-shepherded flock thrives. Sheep left untended on the open range will die. Predators will kill them off, one by one. Or, they will over-grazing the land until they have exhausted their food supply. Don’t get insulted by what I write next, all right? We are like those sheep. We need to be led! Without care, we die.  Think I am wrong?  Even Jesus observed this about the people he lived with, "they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." (Matthew 9:36, NIV)
Our world is full of people who would ‘shepherd’ us. They call to us, inviting us to follow them.  Jesus said that some who claim to be shepherding are just careerists, interested in enriching themselves at the expense of the flock. At the first sign of crisis, they abandon their sheep. "The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it." (John 10:12, NIV)

He will never do that!  He invites us to "Come, follow me. ... I am the Good Shepherd."  Jesus says, "I am the Gate for the sheep. ... Anyone who goes through me will be cared for-will freely go in and out, and find pasture. ... I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd puts the sheep before himself, sacrifices himself if necessary." (John 10:7-11, The Message)
"Come, follow me." Will you take Jesus up on His invitation? It's an invitation to adventure, to life that is purposeful and meaningful, and - best of all - to a relationship! He promises that if we follow Him, He will never leave us. He does not promise that we will never be attacked by wolves, go through violent storms, or experience difficult days! But, He promises we won't face those challenges alone. "I'll be there," He says, "caring for you."  Follow the Good Shepherd. Serve Him. Worship Him. Listen to Him. And, you will 'have real and eternal life, more and better life than you ever dreamed.' That's the truth.

This was the promise of the Lord, fulfilled at the coming of Jesus.
"He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God.
And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be their peace." (Micah 5:3-5, NIV)

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Savior, like a Shepherd lead us;
Much we need Thy tender care.
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us;
For our use Thy folds prepare.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Thou hast bought us; Thine we are.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.

We are Thine; do Thou befriend us;
Be the Guardian of our way.
Keep Thy flock; from sin defend us;
Seek us when we go astray.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Hear thy children when they pray;
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Hear Thy children when they pray.

Savior Like A Shepherd Lead Us
Thrupp, Dorothy A. / Bradbury, William B.
© Public Domain