God Speaking

“I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me.”

(John 10: 14)

My church held an amazing concert for all ages last week and the title was, The Tale of the Shepherd. It was a delightful rendition of the Christmas story, but what was so charming, adults joined with the children in the cast and the church choir filled the air with beautiful voices and dear little angels with big stars on their heads popped up from the balcony and stairs to surprise us all with their voices. 

Jesus had many titles and many of these were predicted by the prophet Isaiah. 

“For to us a child is born to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9: 6)

He was also called the Messiah, the one to save his people, but Jesus himself chooses the humble title Shepherd. 

When we delve into the word itself, it is surprising how often it is used in Scripture. Jacob in the book of Genesis uses it to tell his sons how he sees God. 

“Because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd the Rock of Isreal.” (Genesis 49: 24)

David in the well, known Psalm says 

“The Lord is my shepherd I shall not be in want.” (Psalm 23: 1)

Shepherds were not considered the elite or the wealthy and some instances looked down upon as lowly citizens, but good shepherds sometimes risked their lives by fighting off wild beasts that attacked their flocks. They often spent cold dark nights in the darkness, building a rough shelter to protect their sheep and lying across the opening with their own body. 

It seems so surprising that angels were chosen to tell a group of shepherds first, that the perfect Good Shepherd had been born but not so surprising when Jesus Christ was going to tell the world that he was the Good Shepherd.  

Sheep quickly learnt to trust the voice of their shepherd and to trust him to lead them safely.  Jesus leaves a vital message for all of us his sheep. 

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10: 27)

During the Christmas season the world shouts a different message and media is urging spending money, gifts, parties so our Good Shepherd’s voice gets drowned out. 

There was a beautiful painting in a church I attended of Jesus as a shepherd with a lamb around his shoulders being carried to safety as we welcome the baby Jesu let us see him as our Loving Good Shepherd always ready to carry us when need him and to listen to his voice as he leads us on the path of truth.