Some of the more unusual questions to be asked at an interview include what animal would you be and why? 

Have a think for a moment.

What kind of animal are you? 

Are you an elephant, a strong leader with a good memory? Perhaps a monkey, showcasing your ability to be flexible and a team player. Perhaps the most adaptable answer may be a dolphin - skillful, intelligent, good communicator, and after all who doesn’t like a dolphin! 

But I don’t imagine anyone would ever choose to describe themselves as a sheep. Sheep are not wise. Known to be docile, flighty, wayward and often going astray it’s not a comparison we’d like to be made about our character. And although Shaun the Sheep doesn’t ever grow up, lambs do eventually grow up into something more sedate.

Sheep take time

Many a farm child has grown up with a pet lamb to rear on a bottle. I once had 6 pet lambs to feed morning and evening after school. I become quite adept at recognising them from a distance. And they certainly recognised me. But however pleased with my accomplishments, I was glad to have them all weaned and the responsibility of care taken off my shoulders. Because it takes a lot of time and care to look after sheep. Apart from their tendency to wander heedlessly through fences to where they don’t belong, there’s all kinds of care and protection needed from hoof care to medicines.

A shepherd’s role is not easy

The shepherd’s role in the Ancient East was even more challenging than it would be for a sheep farmer in Ireland today. The shepherd was responsible for protecting and caring for the sheep. Predators such as lions or bears could steal sheep from the flock and often the shepherd was required to fight them off. Often shepherds stayed out with the sheep on the hillsides, finding pasture and damming streams to provide a pool of still water from which the easily spooked animals could drink. With no means of defending themselves, the shepherd’s job was to protect them from their enemies. 
Psalm 23 is one of the most beloved. The well known opening lines “The Lord is my Shepherd” penned by King David have been a great source of comfort and hope to many. While using the sheep as a metaphor for God’s people, the psalm describes the care, protection and salvation given by the Lord to His people. 

This is contrasted in the book of Ezekiel where the leaders of Israel are described as bad shepherds. Instead of caring for the people of Israel they used them for their own gain and led the people astray to worship false gods. But God promises that He, Himself, will be a shepherd to the people (Ezekial ch 34).

God chose to be our shepherd

Fast forward around 600 years and imagine you are standing on the hillside outside of Jerusalem listening to a travelling preacher declare “I am the Good shepherd. I am the Good Shepherd who gives his life for the sheep” (John 10 v 11-18). Jesus is declaring that He is the Good Shepherd and not only will He care and protect and guide His people, He is the Shepherd who gives His life for the sheep. He’s not just any shepherd but God Himself. 

We are no less in need of protection, care and rescuing than the people of the Bible when Jesus spoke those words. In fact, Jesus’ words are for all those who will hear and respond.

Someone to care for you? 

Today you can have Jesus as your Good Shepherd

Spend some time reading over Psalm 23 and John 10v 11 and if you’re the sheep that has gone astray and you hear His voice calling to you, turn back to Him. The shepherd who gives up his life for the sheep is the one who died on the cross for you. Jesus loves you very much.

Perhaps I’ll describe myself as a sheep from now on. It’s lovely to be a sheep when Jesus is your shepherd.