Day 71 "Are We Really Like Sheep?"

"We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way;"

Isaiah 53:6

Not too long ago, a book was given to me as a gift. The book, entitled A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23, was written by an actual shepherd, Phillip Keller, who provides insight into the character and nature of sheep and of the characteristics of a shepherd who watches over them. Uncannily, Keller's description as to the nature of sheep seems as if he is describing us as human beings. Suffice it to say, left alone to their own devices, sheep would perish in their own inabilities to care well for themselves. And how wonderful of a description he describes for us of the shepherd, through which we see the benevolent and loving heart of Jesus, himself.

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."

John 10:11

"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—" John 10:14

Characteristics of sheep:

* Life of a sheep is dependent on the type of master who owns it.

* Sheep do not take care of themselves.

* Sheep on their own make poor choices.

* Sheep need endless attention and care.

* Sheep follow the ways of the crowd with a herd-like mentality.

* Sheep are contented if cared for.

* Sheep are dependent on the care of the shepherd.

* Sheep left on their own will follow their own ways- even if self-destructive!

* Sheep find difficulty laying down and being at rest.

Sheep need four things in order to find rest:

1) Freedom from all fear.

2) Freedom from tension and conflict with one another.

3) Freedom from aggravations. (Things that unsettle the calmness- like pests)

4) Freedom from hunger.

* Sheep find a calming sense of being in the presence of the shepherd.

* Sheep find that the presence of the shepherd makes all the difference in their mannerisms.

* Sheep, left alone, will continue to drink from polluted water rather than moving further ahead to clean and pristine water.

* Sheep, left alone, will over graze the land and ruin it for future grazing.

* Sheep can get themselves in precarious positions which threaten their very existence.

* Sheep left to themselves can grow too much wool upon themselves at the risk of causing other potential problems.

* Sheep are unable to save themselves.

* Sheep are impulsive- not giving much thought to their ways.

* Sheep are creatures of habit.

* Sheep left to their own devices will move towards destructive habits.

* No other class of livestock requires more careful handling, more detailed instruction, then do sheep.

* Sheep finds rest in the presence of the shepherd.

Characteristics of a shepherd:

* Cares about his flock.

* Ownership of flock is legitimate. The shepherd buys the sheep for his flock.

* Cares about every single member of his flock.

* Tends his flock with compassion and concern.

* Stands ready to help, save, and restore.

* Willing to leave the flock to find the one member of the flock who has gone astray.

* Saves the sheep from themselves.

* Leads the flock to greener pastures.

* Scouts out ahead and knows where to take his flock.

* Knows what he is doing in the care for his flock.

* Fully prepared to safe guard his flock.

* Is always vigilant over his flock and never really rests.

* Puts the interest of the flock over his own interest.

So after looking at the characteristics of sheep and the shepherd, do you see the same characteristics in man that are described in sheep? If so, do you see the need in man to be shepherded for his own good and well-being? Do you see the need for Jesus as our shepherd?

Therefore Jesus said again, "I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and out, and find pasture."

John 10:7-9

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."

John 10:11

"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me- just as the Father knows me and I know the Father-and I lay down my life for the sheep." John 10:14-15

"My sheep listens to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can snatch them out of my hand."

John 10:27-28

For those of us who have lost our way, lost all hope, find nothing but despair everywhere that you look, here is the light that brings hope:

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one come to the Father except through me." John 14:6

Jesus, the shepherd who desires an intimate and guiding hand with his flock, invites you to enter through the gate with him and allow him to tenderly and lovingly guide you homeward towards a relationship with God forever.

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Are we really like sheep? I believe enough information exists and points to the

fact that we are just like sheep. Being so, we, too, are in need of a shepherd to guide and care for us.

"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." Matthew 9:36

Are you looking for love, acceptance, and purpose for your life? Then, may I introduce you to the great shepherd, himself. His name is Jesus. See you tomorrow...

"Carpe Momentum in Love." (Seize the moment in love)