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What must it have been like as a shepherd guarding their flock at night? Have you ever thought about that?
There were no “sheep” boarding houses, no Air Bnbs you could rent with a pet deposit, and no protection, really—just the shepherd and whatever shelter was offered from the sheepfold.
What if you were the shepherd? Imagine being out there in the night, alone, with the responsibility and commitment to take care of these sheep.
You hear something in the distance. A twig snapped. The leaves rustled. Could it be the wind? Or could it be a predator lurking in the night, hungry to devour his dinner?
I would have been petrified! First of all, I don’t like the dark. Second, I’d be paranoid about every sound. Third, if I saw a wolf coming, my instinct would probably scream, “RUN!”
And many of them did. They would take off, leaving the sheep helpless against the wolf.
But a good shepherd would never do that.
A good shepherd knows his sheep. He can count them, knows them by name, and knows if one is missing, hurt, or hungry. He provides for their needs, remains with them at all times, and guards them fiercely. He is the protector of the sheep. He lies down across the entrance to their sheepfold so that if an intruder, predator, or thief comes, they will have to answer to him first. He is willing to sacrifice his life for them. Why? It’s not for the money because they really didn’t get paid enough for what was required. But because he knows them and he loves them. They are his.
In John 10:14, Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd.”
And we are His sheep.
Jesus laid down His life for us so that we could be saved.
But what will our response be?
Will we go off in search of a greener pasture? Will we wander aimlessly and be lost? Who will we follow?
Jesus said His sheep know His voice and follow Him.
Are you ready for that? Are you prepared to know that no matter what, you are protected, and no one can snatch you away? Do you want to have peace and rest knowing that Jesus stands watch over you?
He provides.
He protects.
He is Jesus, our Savior, our Good Shepherd.
Trust and follow Him.
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