I have no experience with sheep. None. In fact, my interaction with all things ewe related can be summed up by saying that I’ve owned a few scratchy sweaters, tasted their milk, and eaten mutton for dinner (once). That’s it!
But there’s something about the imagery of a shepherd and his sheep that captures both my attention and my affection. I’m drawn to it in Scripture, and in the way an artist paints the pastoral scenery.
While this affection continues to be resident among modern day believers, it can also be traced back to the ancient Christians who found refuge in the catacombs of Rome. These caves were not only places for believers to bury their dead, but safe havens for them to gather and worship. The walls served as a blank canvas for these new believers to express their newfound understanding and love for the One who called Himself their Good Shepherd.
What is it about the image of a shepherd caring for his sheep that draws our hearts?
I’m pretty sure it’s connected to the nature of God, the nature of man, and the relationship between the two.
In the Old Testament, God likens Himself to something the nomadic herdsmen would have understood - a Shepherd. And throughout this book we see multiple prophets use the imagery to point to the promised Messiah. Then in the New Testament Jesus describes Himself as our Shepherd. He uses the metaphor in His parables, and also when commissioning His disciples to become like Him and care for His flock.
Sheep are drawn to a good Shepherd, not only for guidance, provision, and protection, but because the shepherd promises to never leave them. It’s His love put on display by His continual, faithful presence that enables the sheep to love, trust, and follow Him.
The more I learn about the characteristics of a good shepherd, the more I understand and love mine.
At the end of the day, ancient shepherds would corral their sheep inside folds made of stone walls. They would stand at the opening, where they touched and counted each animal as it entered the fold. When each one was accounted for he would lay his own body across the opening. There was no door to close so the shepherd became the door. Nothing could get to the sheep without going through him. (Do you have chills yet?)
“Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” (Jn.10:7-9)
The more I learn about the characteristics of sheep, the more I understand myself.
We’ve often heard that sheep are stupid animals, but that’s not true. Sheep have a strong flocking instinct that not only allows them to band together against predators, but research shows that they can remember a familiar human face and they know the look of their fellow woolies. One study suggests that they are as good as humans at distinguishing faces in a crowd. This tells me that they have the ability to identify an imposter - a “wolf in sheep's clothing.” The foolish sheep are the ones who make themselves vulnerable by going against their instincts, thinking they can find greener pastures on their own.
Voice recognition is a key to survival for sheep. The shepherd calls each one by name and they know his voice. They will not follow any other.
“…the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” (Jn.10:3-5)
The more I study Scripture the more I learn about what my relationship to the Shepherd looks like.
I think most of us can recite portions, if not all, of the 23rd Psalm. Throughout the ages, believers and non-believers, alike, have found comfort in this universal Psalm. What some may not realize, however, is that King David wrote this passage as he was looking back over his life. He’s reflecting on the relationship He has had with His Great Shepherd, from the time he was a boy herding his father’s sheep to the time he was a wealthy king.
David not only acknowledges his need as a sheep, but He points out the immutable characteristics of a good Shepherd. His care, guidance, provision, and protection are predominant throughout the passage.
There’s so much I could share about the treasures buried within these verses, but the relational aspect I want to highlight is found in one word: “path.”.
“He leads me in paths of righteousness” (vs.3b).
In the original text David is saying that God leads him in literal round paths. (From our western perspective and English translations, we can miss key points in the text.)
When you visit the wilderness where David was a shepherd boy you can still see the ancient paths carved into the steep hillsides, where the shepherds led their flocks to green pastures. And what you see is not a straight path from bottom to top, but paths that went around the hills. The path was long and tiresome, but any other way would have led to tragedy.
Shepherding hasn’t changed much in that area of the world, and the way God shepherds us hasn’t changed either. He is still leading us the long way around.
Because a relationship isn’t nurtured in the short cuts that we try to take.
We learn who God is - a loving Shepherd who loves, guides, provides, and protects His sheep, all while never leaving them to navigate life and fend for themselves.
And we learn who we are - sheep whose strength comes from recognizing the Shepherd, knowing His voice, and banding together to follow Him.
The Good Shepherd will sheer us of our heavy, dirty, old garments, and cloth us in His righteousness. It's how He leads us on this path of life. And after the long and arduous journey, when we finally reach our destination, we will have procured an intimate relationship with the One who fulfilled His promise to never leave us.
Won’t you join the fold? Let’s follow Him into eternity together.
