Sheep

Of all the millions of animals that exist on our planet, the Scriptures compare people most often to sheep. Psalm 23, likely the most well-known biblical ‘poem’, starts by saying “The Lord is my shepherd…” Isaiah 53 includes a reference to this comparison when it states ‘All we like sheep have gone astray…”

Why would that be the choice? Sheep are generally recognized as being likely the most helpless, dependent, defenseless, straying, and confused animal on the planet. We prefer to think of ourselves as independent, capable, smart, strong and wise. In some ways we are but when it comes to moral anchors, spiritual battles and direction in life we too often fit the previous description.

On a positive note, sheep can be very trusting and very loyal. They sense when they have a shepherd who cares about them and will even sacrifice his own safety to protect them. He may even know them by name. He loves the sheep in spite of their straying ways. That’s why Jesus is called the great shepherd of the sheep. He knows everything about us but loves us anyway.

It’s a privilege to be one of His sheep,

Henry Wiebe