Sheep Need a Shepherd

I have often heard it said that sheep are among the simplest of livestock.  That is to say, sheep are quite vulnerable without a shepherd.  They are also vulnerable because they tend to wander from the flock.  Although I have limited knowledge of sheep, it seems that a sheep that ventures from the watchful eye of the shepherd is bound for trouble.

As dependent as they are on a watchful shepherd, I seriously doubt that sheep realize their dependence on the shepherd.  They probably scarcely notice the shepherd's presence until they feel the pull of the staff when they are pulled from danger.

At the other end of the spectrum human beings are creation's most complex thinkers.  We have the capacity to understand and process amazing quantities of facts and information.  We can make complicated decisions.  We are not very much like sheep.

Yet, Jesus uses the parable of the good shepherd.  It is a natural part of our Christian heritage to focus on the shepherd bit and much more challenging to think of ourselves as sheep.  We are much more accustomed to being shepherds in control than sheep in need of leadership.  Yet, when it comes to our relationship with God, Jesus understands our human tendencies better perhaps than we understand ourselves.

When it comes to our faith, we are very much like sheep in need of a shepherd.  Like sheep, we have the tendency to follow.

Like sheep, we often confuse true leadership with the kind offered by hired hands (shepherds who are in it for the wrong reason).

Like sheep, we are endangered by those who prey on our vulnerability, the spiritual wolves.

Like sheep, we are perhaps most vulnerable to ourselves and our tendency to wander away from the care of the shepherd and the safety of the flock.

We certainly need a good shepherd, like Jesus, who is willing to care and sacrifice for us.  Accepting that we are indeed like sheep is the hardest part for many people.  It is our human nature to want to be in control of our lives.  Yet, to be a follower of Christ, we must accept our spiritual likeness to sheep and our need for a good shepherd.  There might even be some comfort in there....

-----Pastor Suzanne