A man in Australia was accused of stealing a sheep. When brought before the judge, the man insisted that the sheep belonged to him and he had been searching for it for several days. After pondering over a solution, the judge ordered that the sheep be brought into the courtroom. He then told the accuser to step outside and call the sheep.
The call was clearly heard in the courtroom, but the already frightened sheep made no response. The man was called back inside and the defendant was told to step outside and do the same. As soon as the sheep heard the man’s familiar call, it bolted for the door and the courtroom was filled with cheers as the man carried the sheep back inside. “It is clear, ” said the judge, “that this sheep knows who he belongs to. Case dismissed.”
In Mathew 18:11-14: Jesus tells us: For the Son of man is come to save that which is lost. 12 How think ye, if a man has a hundred sheep and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety and nine and go into the mountains and seek that which has gone astray? 13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say to you, he rejoices…14 Even so, it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
In John 10, Jesus shares a parable: …He that enters not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he that enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 to him the door opens and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he puts his own sheep forth, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 3 And a stranger they will not follow, but will flee from them, for they know not the voice of strangers.
The Jews Jesus was speaking to had no understanding of what he was talking about, so He said to them: John 10: 7 …I am the door of the sheep. 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door, by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal, and to kill, and to destroy; I am come that they might have life; and that they might have it more abundantly. 11 I am the Good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep…14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15…I lay down my life for the sheep.
What a joy to hear these words today…straight from Jesus to the heart of every one of us who have chosen to believe. We are his. He knows us by name, and hears our every prayer.
Another chapter comes to mind as I ponder the wonder of God’s love and the care He takes when dealing with His own:
Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd; I shalt not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over, 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
The words of this passage have brought me peace and comfort so many times: when facing the death of my mother, it told me I had no evil to fear, and assured me that I was not facing it alone. Jesus was with me.
When the devil reminds me of things I lack, God reminds me of what I have…and my cup runs over with joy.
When in stress, I am led beside the still waters…He calms my spirit. My soul is restored by the reminder of what a good shepherd is. I am reminded not to listen to the voices of this world or stray from this path of righteousness for His name’s sake.
We must know to whom we belong… and know that He is the good shepherd; able to keep everything we commit unto Him. We can look forward to that day, when (thanks to His goodness and mercy) we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.