I Am, Part 4
Notes
Transcript
The Good Shepherd
The Good Shepherd
Wikipedia says a shepherd is a person who tends, herds, feeds, or guards flocks of sheep. Shepherd derives from Old English sceaphierde (sceap "sheep" + hierde "herder"). Shepherding is one of the world's oldest occupations; it exists in many parts of the globe, and it is an important part of pastoralist animal husbandry.
Provision - food and water
Pasture is not like we think it to be. In Israel there are no lush green fields. Instead, the environment is that of a desert and grass grows for a short period of time and then dries up. One of the principal duties is for the shepherd to plan food for the flock. In the springtime rain is abundant and there is green pasture for a time. Usually the sheep are allowed to graze near to the village where the shepherd's home is located. After the grain is reaped, and the poor have had an opportunity to glean what is left for them, then the shepherd brings in his flock, and the sheep feed on certain fresh growths, or dried blades, or an occasional ear of grain that the reapers may have left, or was overlooked by the gleaners. When this source of food is exhausted then the pasture is sought in other places. The wilderness of Judea which is located along the western side of the Jordan Valley is carpeted in the spring with a certain amount of grass and this turns into standing hay as the hot weather comes, and this becomes food for the sheep during part of the summer.
Scripture often refers to shepherds looking for pasture for their flocks.
39 They journeyed to the entrance of Gedor, to the east side of the valley, to seek pasture for their flocks,
In the late autumn or winter months, there are times when the shepherd can find no pasture that is available for his flock, and then he must become responsible for feeding the animals himself. If the flock is small there may be times when it is stabled within the peasant house, and the family lives on a sort of mezzanine floor above it. At, such seasons of the year the shepherd must provide the food. In some areas, flocks are taken at this season to places in the mountain country, where the shepherd busies himself with the bushy trees, cutting down branches that have green leaves or tender twigs, that the sheep can eat.
Water was just as important. In selecting pasture for the flock, it is an absolute necessity that water be provided, and that it be easy of access. Often flocks are stationed near to a stream of running water. But the sheep are often afraid of drinking water that moves quickly, or that is agitated. Therefore the shepherd looks for pools of water, or provides some quiet place where they may quench their thirst.
Protection - from predators and thieves
A thick tunic was used to protect the shepherd and used as a blanket. He would carry a staff, used to guide and rescue when needed. He would also carry lethal protection. We know David carried a sling in which to protect the flock; and did so.
34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock,
35 I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him.
Guidance - away from dangers and to benefit.
The sheep would be guided away from known dangers, and sheep pens would be constructed out of thorn bushes or in caves or coves where they can be kept.
Regardless, the shepherd devotes himself to the care, protection, and guidance of the flock. But, it does not always go as is planned. At times, sheep (Christians) will intentionally go astray, they will show the need to be led, but thank God we have the Good Shepherd to lead, guide, and direct us through this life.
Sheep Go Astray
Sheep Go Astray
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Sheep will wander away and leave the protection of the flock. They run the risk of getting lost, being attacked, or falling into trouble. I can remember us missing a critter, and after looking for a while found him facing down hill standing with his hips lodged between two trees. All he had to do was back up… But, instead he continued trying to force his way forward. Even when we tried to push him backwards to release him, he still wanted to put up a fight. He didn’t understand what we were trying to do. Didn’t understand we were trying to help. Didn’t understand freedom was as simple as following the direction of the shepherd.
You know, I think that we (as Christians) do the same thing with God. Our sinful nature tends to lead us astray. We want to follow after the things that WE want. Things that look shiny, things that look fun, things that will give us temporary satisfaction…and we walk away from the Good Shepherd, leading ourselves into a place of danger. We run the risk of getting lost and losing our sight of God.
Often, the things of this world will cause us to think we know better, that we will be able to find our own happiness, we will not listen to the voice of the shepherd and will wander - going astray. We rely on our own way instead of the things God wants instead.
We must realize God wants what is best for us, He wants to keep us safe, and provide us with protection. He did this by sending His Son, Jesus Christ to deliver us from the sin of going astray and from the penalty of those sins - death and eternal separation from the Father. Often, when a sheep goes astray the shepherd will find the sheep, and will pick it up and place it over his shoulders. Providing and protecting the animal until he returns home. In this verse, we are told God “laid on Him the iniquity of us all”. Jesus picked up our sins…and placed them on His own shoulders…and took not only the weight of sin, but the penalty of sin too and will lead us past our sin and towards our salvation.
Sheep Need to be Led
Sheep Need to be Led
17 who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the Lord may not be as sheep that have no shepherd.”
As Joshua is being set apart as the next leader after Moses, God tells him that it will take someone who sets the example. Going out and coming in before them. This analogy is also one that parallels what a shepherd does.
It is interesting to watch our sheep dogs. First thing in the morning, when the gate opens the dogs will go out of the fence and will make sure there are no dangers then they will lead the sheep out of the paddock and into the field to graze. They stand watch during the day, waiting for the potential dangers of a coyote or stray dog, and will protect them if the need arises. I can remember seeing one dog herding the sheep into the corner of the fence, crowding them into a tight group and placing herself between the sheep and the potential danger while the other dogs chased the coyote out of the field. I have often wondered, did the sheep recognize the danger they were in? Did they understand that just out of sight was an animal seeking to destroy them? What would have happened if they had not come into the flock and allowed themselves to be protected by the sheep dog?
Church, we are no different. Our heavenly Father stands before us ready to protect us from whatever danger lies outside. When we leave the protection and go out into the fields of this world, He still stands guard protecting us if the need arises. God, too, recognizes Satan is out to harm us and gives us warning guidance.
8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Knowing the nation of Israel needed a person to guide them, God set Moses and then Joshua over them as leaders. He also recognized the need we would have for a leader too, and set over us the Good Shepherd.
The Good Shepherd
The Good Shepherd
11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
A good shepherd knows they have a serious job, one that involves risks that might even cost them their own lives. If we look back at David’s example he had to protect the sheep from bear and lions. Certainly it would not be easy for a small, young teen to fight off something as fierce as bear and lions. The risk could be their own death. Yet, the shepherd is willing to accept the risk to his own life to protect the lives of his flock.
Jesus also knew the risk when He came to earth. He realized that as the Good Shepherd, He would be laying His life down for his flock. He willingly sacrificed His life for the sheep. The Good Shepherd has a vested interest in the sheep. He contrasts the Good Shepherd to a hired hand in verses 12-13 as a person who is paid to care for the sheep, but will run when danger is present. He leaves the flock unattended, unprotected, and in risk of injury or death. Some will fall victim to the wolves and be eaten. The rest runs away and becomes more vulnerable too. He cares nothing for the sheep…only his own desires.
Jesus, here, reminds us He willingly gave His life for us. We, as sheep without a shepherd, stand open to the attacks of the world and everything that can cause harm. But instead of allowing us to be vulnerable…Jesus rounded us back up and placed us back in the flock IF we are not too stubborn to run away. He stands as our protector, and died in our place, as our substitute so that we could have protection through eternal life. You see, He offered Himself as the substitutionary sacrifice so that we could have life, and life more abundantly.
A good shepherd will watch out for the flock, but the sheep can also recognize the voice of the shepherd. Often, I have seen dad go outside and simply say “come on sheep” and the flock would hear the voice of their shepherd and come running to the barn. They knew there would be food, water, and protection.
14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,
As God’s creation, we too should be able to recognize the voice of our creator. But do we come running to Him for our protection? Those sheep would mostly come running, but there were some that could be a little stubborn and not want to heed the voice of their shepherd. It left them in danger. Not heeding the voice of the shepherd left them outside the fold. So, the good shepherd leaves his own home, his own comfort, and possibly his own safety to go find the one sheep who doesn’t recognize the danger it truly is in.
The shepherd even recognizes when one of the sheep is stubborn and unruly. He knows His sheep, but also the sheep know Him. Interestingly, I look like Dad, act like Dad, have the same mannerisms as Dad, even sound somewhat like Dad…but the sheep can tell the difference. I can go out and yell for the sheep, and they ignore me. The fact that the sheep can know the voice of their shepherd tells us how well they know him.
The fact that the sheep know the voice of the Good Shepherd shows us that we, too, should recognize His voice and not be fooled by look a likes and look solely towards the One who watches after, cares for, and protects His own IF they are willing to listen and heed His voice.
Closing
Closing
Jesus tells us He is the Good Shepherd, and know His sheep and His sheep know Him. But what about the ones who don’t know Him? There are sheep that will try to go astray, but the Good Shepherd will be there to guide them back into the fold. He will even go after those who stray away from the flock and will not listen to His voice. He leads the sheep that will listen into green pastures, still waters, and provides even when the pastures and waters dry up. They stand guard, protecting and providing for the sheep in the flock.
He truly is the Good Shepherd. But, what about the ones who don’t recognize His voice or those who run from the voice of the Good Shepherd? He still goes after even one…
Today, do you hear the Good Shepherds voice? Will you come to the flock, or will you run from the Shepherd? You see, He desires to bring you into the flock. He desires to lead you into the goodness and abundance He provides, and He desires to be your Good Shepherd. Will you heed His call today?