Do the Sheep Seek the Shepherd?
Yes, sheep follow their shepherds because they trust and know them. Shepherds lead their flocks to safety, protect them from harm, and provide for their needs. Sheep are easily spooked and can wander away, so they need a shepherd's care to survive. Shepherds often walk at the head of the flock, and the sheep learn to stay close by.
The Gospels describe Jesus Christ as the ultimate compassionate shepherd. He cares for “sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36; see also Mark 6:34). He is the “good shepherd” (John 10:11, 14), the “great Shepherd of the sheep” (Hebrews 13:20), and the “Chief Shepherd” (1 Peter 5:4).
God is in the business of seeking and saving lost sheep (John 10:16). Perhaps His words, “I myself will search for my sheep,” resound most forcefully in Christ’s parable of the lost sheep:
If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, “Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.” In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away! (Luke 15:4–7, NLT).
Just as the people of Israel were the sheep of God’s flock, Christians today are the sheep of Christ’s flock (Luke 12:32; Matthew 10:16). Israel had God-appointed spiritual under-shepherds, just as New Testament believers do (John 21:15–17). In Acts, Paul told the Ephesian elders to “keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood” (Acts 20:28).
The apostle Peter urged church leaders to take their responsibilities seriously: “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away” (1 Peter 5:2–4).
Have you been through a low season lately? Did your pastors or elders reach out to you? If so, God has blessed you with church leaders you should support and love in return. If not, pray for them, perhaps they are going through a low season too.
In the Bible, Jesus refers to himself as the Good Shepherd who knows his sheep and will put them before himself, even sacrificing himself if necessary. He suggests that he will not desert his flock, and will bring in more sheep to join the flock.
God is in the business of seeking and saving lost sheep (John 10:16). Perhaps His words, “I myself will search for my sheep,” resound most forcefully in Christ’s parable of the lost sheep:
If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, “Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.” In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away! (Luke 15:4–7, NLT).
Just as the people of Israel were the sheep of God’s flock, Christians today are the sheep of Christ’s flock (Luke 12:32; Matthew 10:16). Israel had God-appointed spiritual under-shepherds, just as New Testament believers do (John 21:15–17). In Acts, Paul told the Ephesian elders to “keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood” (Acts 20:28).
The apostle Peter urged church leaders to take their responsibilities seriously: “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away” (1 Peter 5:2–4).
In times of trial, your church leaders should reach out to you to comfort you and to direct you to seek and go to "The Shepherd" in prayer for direction and comfort.
Have you been through a low season lately? Did your pastors or elders reach out to you? If so, God has blessed you with church leaders you should support and love in return. If not, pray for them, perhaps they are going through a low season too.
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