Jesus Our Shepherd

On my many travels around the world, I have collected nativities and sheep! Of course, not real sheep, but ones of many sizes and designs. Throughout the years, I have been blessed to see lambs being born and to hold the small creatures in my arms.

We are referred to as sheep throughout the Bible. Why? For one thing, raising sheep was an important way for people to make a living. Jesus used sheep as object lessons. Another reason is because humans have much in common with sheep.

For example, sheep are not very smart. If a sheep tries to go through a small hole in the fence, he will not stop, he will just keep trying to go forward. We are like sheep when we keep on doing the same things that we should not do.

Sheep are followers. If one sheep moves, the others will follow. We follow what other people are doing, even though it may not be the right thing to do.

Sheep sometimes wander. They graze without paying attention to where they are going. We stray away from what God has taught us to do.

But, fortunately for the sheep, they have a shepherd. Fortunately, we have Jesus, the Good Shepherd, to rescue us. He says, I am the good shepherd (John 10:11).

You know – Jesus really loves His sheep!

In the season of Lent the LWML has beautiful devotions, free and printable for your use. I suggest you begin with this devotion: The Perfect Lamb.

Karol Selle