Sheep are funny creatures. They...
Illustration
Sheep are funny creatures. They frighten easily, they get lost, confused and generally will eat most anything, even if it kills them!
Of course Jesus was familiar with sheep. He knew that the shepherd was the one who the sheep trusted. The shepherd would walk into the hills and valleys inspecting the area to make sure that no problems existed that would harm the sheep before allowing the sheep to graze there. He would talk to them to quiet them and then would gently lead them to the safest and most well guarded place so they could eat and sleep without interruption. The shepherd would even sleep with them and would lay his body across the opening to the enclosure they slept in at night to make sure that no predators would enter. In the morning he would count them when they went out and inspect them to make sure they were healthy. The shepherd and the sheep were mutually dependent on each other, but the shepherd was the one who made it all work.
The sheep trusted the shepherd. The sheep have grown to realize that their future life depends on the care of the shepherd. They know his voice and listen when he speaks, they do what he says because they know he will not lead them astray. The sheep know that the shepherd's presence guarantees their future.
Jesus is the good shepherd. Will we listen to him or reject him and risk life without him?
--Clarke
Of course Jesus was familiar with sheep. He knew that the shepherd was the one who the sheep trusted. The shepherd would walk into the hills and valleys inspecting the area to make sure that no problems existed that would harm the sheep before allowing the sheep to graze there. He would talk to them to quiet them and then would gently lead them to the safest and most well guarded place so they could eat and sleep without interruption. The shepherd would even sleep with them and would lay his body across the opening to the enclosure they slept in at night to make sure that no predators would enter. In the morning he would count them when they went out and inspect them to make sure they were healthy. The shepherd and the sheep were mutually dependent on each other, but the shepherd was the one who made it all work.
The sheep trusted the shepherd. The sheep have grown to realize that their future life depends on the care of the shepherd. They know his voice and listen when he speaks, they do what he says because they know he will not lead them astray. The sheep know that the shepherd's presence guarantees their future.
Jesus is the good shepherd. Will we listen to him or reject him and risk life without him?
--Clarke
