Sunday, April 17, 2016

The Good Shepherd and His Happy Sheep

In the Christmas play at church, I always wanted to be a shepherd. I knew it took less commitment to be a shepherd because I would have fewer lines than the people who had to play Joseph or the Magi. But I had no clue what a shepherd actually did. In real life, shepherding is a hard occupation. The hours are long, and a good shepherd must give endless care to his sheep.

The Bible often uses the analogy of us humans being like sheep. For example, Psalm 100:3 says, “It is He who has made us. ... We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” And Isaiah writes, “All we like sheep have gone astray” (Isaiah 53:6).

God calls us sheep because He knows human nature. With our mob instinct, our fears and timidity, our stubbornness and stupidity, and our rebellious nature, we’re very similar to sheep. Further, sheep cannot survive on their own. They require constant attention, rescue and care from the shepherd, or they’ll die.

However, the important point is not that we are just like sheep, but rather that we have a wonderful Shepherd. That was David’s thought on Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd.” It was a bragging point. “Look at who my shepherd is! Look at who’s in control of my life!” As a shepherd himself, David knew that the quality of life for any sheep depends on the kind of shepherd who takes care of it.

And Jesus the Good Shepherd is a great shepherd. He sacrifices for His sheep: He literally gave His life for us. He knows His sheep: He knows us each individually, intimately and completely—and loves us anyway! He unites His sheep: To the Good Shepherd, race, sex, ethnicity and nationality are all unimportant. We are all His flock. He lives for His sheep: He died, but He rose again, and He will never abandon us. How can you lose with a Shepherd like that?

And yet, does abundance describe your life as one of God’s flock? If it does, if you reflect a satisfaction in life, a real joy in Christ, what an advertisement that is to follow the Shepherd! Many would line up to follow that Shepherd as they see the joy of His sheep. But if people hear you constantly complaining about life, it’s as if you were saying, “Don’t follow my Shepherd, or you’ll end up just like me.”

Shepherds often gave names to their sheep based on their personalities. If God were to give you a nickname on that basis, what would it be? Would it be “Loving” or “Trusting” or “Hopeful?” Or would it be “Grumpy” or “Wanderer?”

There’s a secret to being a happy sheep. If you stay at a distance from your Shepherd, wander around and find your own way, “Happy” won’t be your nickname. Remember, happiness and safety are directly proportional to proximity. The closer you live to your Shepherd, the more you will be nourished and cared for by Him, and safe because of His protection.

If Jesus Christ is willing to be your Shepherd, why would you settle for anything less? Accept no substitute for the good, loving and merciful Shepherd.
©2012 Skip Heitzig