THE GOOD SHEPHERD

 

Thursday, January 19, 2023

 

THE GOOD SHEPHERD

 

John 10:11-14

11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

 

          In 1976, I awoke in an Arab owned hotel on Mount Scopus in Israel. “Mountain of Spectators” is an apt way of describing it. Rubbing the sleep-sand from my eyes, I went to the window and saw a young boy with a herd of sheep below on a solid rock ravine. Loudly played the call to prayer, accented by the jangle of the lead sheep’s bell.

 

          Do you know how many times the Bible uses the word shepherd? Forty-three times in forty verses. If you want to know Jesus, study shepherds. Jesus knew the nature of sheep and the needs of sheep. He knew they were mostly spectators taking in the sights and wandering here and there, grazing where the grass was sweet and plentiful. He knew they were not cautious and had a hard time identifying and enemy. They were not warriors but victims. They needed to be protected.

 

          More deadly than wolves were careless shepherds. Jesus identifies them in John chapter ten. They do not own the sheep but work for the owner. They have nothing invested except their time which they value most of all. They will expend no more energy than necessary to maintain their employment. “The hireling runs from a predator, because he is an hireling, and cares nothing for the sheep.”

 

          Sheep well cared for naturally lamb. The good shepherd seeks wanderers and returns them. He is keenly aware of the individual and calls him by name. Even sheep know that there is no sweeter music than to hear your own name well spoken.

 

Good Shepherd, watch over me today. Restrict my wandering, protect me from danger, and lead me in the way everlasting. AMEN