The Good Shepherd....Do You Know Him?

Joh 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.




Luk 15:4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
Luk 15:5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
Luk 15:6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
Luk 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Last week as Randy and I traveled through the countryside of Romania and up into the mountains, we saw many flocks of sheep grazing on tender green grass. Always, nearby was the faithful shepherd standing guard over his flock. What a perfect picture and beautiful reminder of Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd.

As the shepherd leaves the sheepfold in the morning with his flock, headed for fresh green pasture, he knows exactly how many sheep are under his care and protection. They are his responsibility, his livelihood. I'm told the shepherds have their own "shepherding" songs they sing to keep the sheep calm and contented. The shepherd cares for his sheep, they aren't just a bunch of woolly animals to him. It is imperative the shepherd return back to the sheepfold in the evening with the same number he left with that morning, regardless of the cost or danger involved. The shepherd would put himself between his sheep and any wild animal that might try to attack and kill one of his flock.

Our Good Shepherd guards his flock carefully as well. He is constantly on alert for any predator lurking about to steal, kill or destroy one of his own. Should one of His flock falter or stumble and fall by the wayside, the Good Shepherd is there to reach down lovingly with his staph and help them back on the right path. We can only imagine how heaven and the angels rejoice when a lost sinner comes to the Good Shepherd with open arms and receives Him into their heart as a child. I'm thankful I know the Good Shepherd and He knows me. If you don't have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ today, it is my prayer that you would seek Him, life is a vapor; there is no promise of tomorrow. The only assured walk in life is walking with the Good Shepherd.