JESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD

A Shepherd is a person who tends, herds, feeds and guards a flock of sheep. Shepherding is one of the world’s oldest occupations, though many advanced nations have adopted a more sophisticated method of animal husbandry. In many developing nations, pastoralist animal husbandry is still practiced, where animals, essentially sheep are led from place to place in search of greener pastures to graze on. The character of the good shepherd is described vividly by King David in Psalm 23:1: "The Lord is my Shepherd, i shall not want".

In the Bible, Shepherds are used to represent leaders of God’s people, and Jesus is referred to as the good shepherd while the sheep, is used to represent God’s people.

John 10: 11 says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep”.

Why are God’s people referred to as sheep?

Children of God are referred to as sheep because, these animals depend totally on their shepherds for guidance, direction, feed and protection. They know their caregivers (source), can recognize their voices and are good followers.

To follow any leader or given course, you need to believe and trust in the said person and his agenda without questions. God requires this level of trust and commitment from his people.

Sheep Vs. Goat

While sheep, follow their shepherds with a yielded and gentle spirit, believing them to have their best interest at heart; there exist another class of small ruminants that behave differently. They are called goats.

Goats are known to be stubborn, rebellious and disobedient in an alarming manner. Their defiant attitude is seen experienced daily in rural communities that practice extensive system of animal husbandry, where animals are allowed to roam in the environment and fend for themselves.

In many cases, these people are also crop farmers and the waste gathered from the harvest are fed to the animals. During processing of the crops, any, left unguarded are eaten by the animals. The true nature of goats is revealed when they repeatedly come back even after being chased out from eating the crops. They have a mind of their own and do not follow instructions; they are their own leaders!

The rebellious attitude of goats does not leave room for Jesus to be their shepherd. This is the same attitude displayed by Lucifer (Isaiah 14:13) and King Saul (1 Samuel 15).

Having said this, it should also be noted that, the attitude of the goat is not all bad. It is recognized in a good light for its leadership trait together with lions and even kings.

Proverb 30: 29-31 says; 'There are three things which are majestic in pace, Yes, four which are stately in walk:' 'A lion, which is mighty among beasts and does not turn away from any;' 'A greyhound, a male goat also, and a king whose troops are with him.'

In the parable of the sheep and goat described in Mathew 25:32-46, Jesus used these two animals to symbolize a difference in the responses of people to the needy. The righteous, who show care to people irrespective of their societal status are referred to as sheep while, the wicked who did otherwise, are referred to as goats.

They were separated into these categories based on their works!

 If we were in a Sunday School class and a question was asked on how many of us loved God, I believe all hands will be elevated. What is expected of us is that, we show we love God by treating seemingly insignificant individual the same way we would treat Christ if he appeared in our homes today.

1 John 4:20 has explained this better, and it says; 'If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?

The parable of the sheep and goats teaches love in action!

How much do you love God?

This will be seen by how well you treat people, even those of very low estate?

On the day Jesus comes to gather his people, will you be among the sheep or among the goats?

The ball is in your court. Rise up and begin to do the works of him that sent you while it is still day.