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Apr 23, 2024 06:00am

The Good Shepherd

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Have you fallen for it?

You know, the Facebook scam of a hurt pet, a missing elderly man, or someone selling their good items way too cheap.

Several times a week, I’ll see a friend share the dreadful post. Trying to help, I comment on their post “This is a scam, delete from your page.” But, more often than not, a few days will go by, and then there’s another one.

Wanting to help prevent them from being scammed and taken advantage of, I even shared more information on an easy way to spot if it was a scam.

Look where it’s coming from. If it’s posted from a “yard sale” or “online sale” page, it’s more than likely a scam, and you shouldn’t share it.

But people don’t always take the time to look at something before they share it, do they? They want to do the right thing, they want to help, but they’re quick to be trusting and think it’s real.

Another giveaway is who is making the post. If you click on the name of the person that shared it, “Suzette Alexander” for example, you’ll see how many friends she has, where she lives, what groups she’s in, how many posts she has, etc. If something looks fishy, it probably is.

Don’t share it. Report the profile. And go back to your scrolling.

So, who’s fallen for it?

Yes, yours truly. Even though I know what to look for, I, too, fall prey to their schemes. In fact, I did it just the other day. I was helping a friend look for a car for his daughter, and I shared a post about “someone” I knew who was selling theirs cheaply. I even said, “I can’t believe it’s at this price.”

Ring any bells? Ding ding ding! Dead giveaway.

We aren’t immune to it. It happens. Especially when we aren’t vigilant.

John 10:1-3a

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
3 To him the porter openeth;”

Jesus illustrates His teaching with the example of sheep and a shepherd. Shepherding was very common in this culture and would have been widely understood. To them, it was an incredible way to explain His point.

Shepherding isn’t something most of us are too familiar with. So, let’s get an idea of what He’s speaking about.

At dark, the shepherd would gather all the sheep into an area for their protection. This might be a cave, a shed, or a place where walls had been made from branches or stone. With all of these, there was only one way in. In fact, the shepherd would often lay across the opening to protect the sheep. The porter is what they called a gatekeeper. Intruders were not allowed unless he let them in.

Everyone knew that shepherding was dangerous, and there would be predators, robbers, and thieves looking to steal, kill, and devour the flock at any given time.

So, Jesus warned them by telling them two important factors to consider:

Where & Who

Look where they are coming from. They should only come through the gate. If they try to come any other way, they are thief or robber. They are seeking to do you and the sheep wrong.

And look at who it is. The porter opens the door for the Shepherd only. Don’t let strangers in.

Be vigilant.

Because we know the result, right?

There is always hurt, frustration, and loss – sometimes that can’t be recouped.

Besides watching for scammers on FB, what does this mean for us today?

Jesus is the good Shepherd. Those who have trusted in Him are His flock.

“and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.
9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”

Is Jesus the Shepherd of your life? Or are you blindly following a cheap imitation, a scammer? Don’t be fooled. They only have one goal – to steal, kill, and destroy.

Follow the Good Shepherd. Listen to His voice. Want to know how to know His voice above all the other noise? Open your Bible and begin studying His Word. The more you hear His voice, the more you’ll recognize what’s truth and what isn’t.