The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. Psalm 23:1-3a 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

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

A shepherd is someone who takes care of a group or flock, of sheep (or goats). Sheep need to be led to a pasture of grass to eat. They need water, just like us, and they need to be protected from animals that may hurt or kill them. A shepherd takes good care of his sheep.

Do you have a pet that you help care for like a dog or cat? Did you give them a name? Do they look at you when you call their name? Do you help feed them and give them fresh water? You are like a shepherd to your pet!

In the Bible, God’s people are sometimes called the sheep of His pasture. Our first verse is from Psalm 23 written by King David, who used to be a shepherd for his father’s flock of sheep! David says that God is his shepherd because God takes care of David like a shepherd takes care of his sheep.

In Psalm 79, the writer says that the people are the sheep that God takes care of, and they give Him thanks forever. That each generation will praise God, their shepherd.

In Bible times lots of people had sheep and had shepherds to take care of them. So, in our verses from John, most people would have understood what Jesus was telling them. In this chapter of John, Jesus is explaining that He is the shepherd for all the people who believe in Him. His sheep, all of us, know His voice and He knows us and we will follow Him.

We follow Jesus by talking to Him and learning to hear His voice. We follow Jesus by loving and caring for people just like He did. We follow Jesus by telling other people we meet what a great shepherd He is for us and how He can be their shepherd, too.

Blessings that you are one of Jesus’ precious sheep and follow Him!

Fun Facts about sheep and shepherds:

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

The shepherd knew each of 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 community pen where each shepherd would come and call out his flock and they would follow him to pasture.

In small pens, for only one flock, the shepherd would lay in front of the opening (the door or gate) at night to keep the sheep in and other animals out.

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