My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:27-28 ESV

But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise. Psalm 79:13 ESV

A shepherd with his flock of sheep. They stay close together and close to their shepherd. Photo by Patrick Schneider on unsplash.

 I have always loved the idea of Jesus as our shepherd. I think it began because Psalm 23 was one of my grandmother’s favorites, and she would recite it to us. David calls the LORD our shepherd because He cares for us just as a shepherd cares for his sheep.

I didn’t really know a lot about sheep when I chose these verses but now that I’ve learned more, you know I just have to share. If you are not a “fun fact” person, feel free to skip this part.

First, throughout the Bible, God’s people are referred to as the “sheep of His pasture.” Psalm100:3, Ezekiel 34:31

A large flock of sheep was a sign of wealth, blessing, and abundance, they provided wool, meat, and milk and were highly valued.

The shepherd had a relationship with his sheep; they knew his voice; most shepherds had a special call that would bring all his sheep to him. And sheep were also given and called by individual names.

Flocks of sheep were kept in a large communal pen where each shepherd would come and call out his flock and they would follow him to pasture. In small pens, for one flock, the shepherd would lay in front of the opening (door or gate) at night to keep the sheep in and predators out.

The sheep trusted their shepherd to protect and care for them and they followed only their shepherd.

In John chapter 10, Jesus is speaking to a group of Jews and Pharisees, who have heard of His healing of a man born blind on the Sabbath. After many questions, Jesus begins to describe Himself as the “Good Shepherd.” Jesus is the Shepherd for all who believe on Him, He is the door to the pen, He knows His sheep and they know Him. Jesus says He has the authority to lay down His life for the sheep and the authority to take it up again. (V. 18)

Jesus is our good shepherd; we hear His voice and follow Him. Like sheep we trust that He will take care of us. He leads us to “still waters” and “green pastures,” Jesus “restores our souls.” 

This week as we follow Jesus, our shepherd, let us also strive to be more like Him so that we may draw more people, “sheep,” into His eternal flock.

I thank God for each of you! And I thank you for joining me this week as we follow Jesus, our shepherd, and are His highly valued and blessed sheep of His pasture.

Blessings, peace and joy as a follower of Jesus!