A Good Son

A Good Shepherd

          Jesus was recognized by many names. Lord; Savior; Son of God; Light of the World; Good Shepherd; Living Word; to name just a few. We are aware of the meanings of most of the titles. For instance when we describe Jesus as a carpenter, we immediately know that He worked with wood: a hammer and nails, saws, and probably, on occasion He may have sanded and painted the finished wood. But, what do we know about shepherds? When we read that Jesus was a Good Shepherd; we think, OK. People followed Him like sheep, and think no more about it, thereby missing an important lesson about His mission.

          Perhaps David is the first shepherd you think about. David learned his skill with the sling-shot while protecting his sheep from wolves. That is how he was right on target hitting the only vulnerable spot on Goliath, killing him instantly and putting the enemy on the run.

          Maybe when you hear shepherd, your mind goes to Joseph and his coat of many colors; and how his brothers, also shepherds wanted to kill him. Joseph was to blame for their wrath. He was spoiled, self-centered, egoistic, and conceded. He showed up at their camp site, where they were hungry, tired, hot and dirty from work. Joe was clean and fresh and arrogantly, once too often, reminded them that he would be a great man and they would bow down to him. They couldn’t take it anymore. They were good men, pushed too far. They spared his life and sold him into slavery.

          Also shepherds, in the hills, were the first to hear the angels sing about the birth of the Christ child. What an honor!

          Today sheep are an after thought. With synthetic materials, cotton, nylon, and blends, sheep’s wool is not needed for clothes today. Pork, ham, beef, turkey and chicken are preferred meats. Many people have never tasted lamb and have no desire to do so.

          Back in Bible days sheep were a man’s fortune. Anyone could raise chickens for handy food. But, they couldn’t run to the store to buy lamb chops for supper. Because meat spoiled quickly, when they had lamb it wasn’t a quick snack. It was a special occasion or a party and the whole lamb was roasted. Therefore a shepherd and his flock was held in high esteem. A few sheep would support your family. A herd of sheep and you were wealthy.

          A shepherd didn’t just pen his sheep up until he could sell one for a profit. No sir. They took their tents and their sheep and headed for the hills, where the grass was green and the water was clear. They lived with their sheep in rugged, dangerous country. They were alone and lonely men. For the most part they were kind, patient, loving, protective, and brave men too. Brave? Very much. How would you like to like to stop a bear from getting the meal that he came for? The big bad wolf was always stalking the flock for an unsuspecting lamb and wolves hunt in hungry, vicious packs. A shepherd loved his sheep and would fight to the death to protect each one from harm.

          This is what the 23^rd Psalm “The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want” is trying to convey to us and what Jesus came to teach us. Jesus was leading men’s thoughts to God’s unconditional love and green pasture (heaven) where everyone is happy, secure and all needs are a thing of the past. The flock can be safely left where there are no storms, no dangers, and no predatory animals to fear. while the Good Shepherd comes searching for the wandering prodigal (us)  Once found and returned to our rightful home, there will be no lectures about our sin, no anger, no punishment. Nothing but joy that another lost soul has found that the world has nothing to offer and has come home to stay with no desire to stray again.

Jesus is still our Good Shepherd

          681 words     Loretta Ellen Edwards