Of Sheep and Shepherds

We tend to think of sheep as one of the dumbest animals. However, if you look it up, sheep are not actually included in the top ten. (Yes, I looked it up. Which proves you can find just about anything on the internet.) 

Here are some more interesting facts about sheep and shepherds, whether you care to know or not...

Some shepherds would count their flocks every night to be sure they were all there but often times the shepherd didn't need to count them. As they would herd them into the fold, the shepherd was able to "feel" the absence of even one of his sheep. The appearance of the flock would be "off." Many shepherds named their sheep and would call them all by name. 

The sheep became to know the shepherd's voice and would come when they just called out. Smaller herds would sometimes join together at night in the fold. Then in the morning, each shepherd would call their own sheep out of the fold. Imagine hundreds of sheep milling around but only those that belonged to that particular shepherd would come out. They knew their master's voice and trusted him to lead them safely.

The scriptures mention sheep and shepherds more than 600 times in the Bible. The use of this topic was so common because not only were the people of that time able to relate to it but it also gave (and still gives us) a perfect picture of how the Lord wants us to respond to His voice.

"Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep...."I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved."  John 10:7-8

"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me." John 10:14

We are to know His voice as completely as the sheep know their master's voice. So how do we do that?

It's all about relationship. Think about all the people you would know just by their voice. Why do you not have to see them to recognize who it is? Because you have a relationship with them. You've spent time with them. You've talked with them extensively. 

Sounds like what we're called to do in our relationship with Jesus, right? I guess the internet was correct in their assessment of sheep and their intelligence. Let's be like sheep and follow our shepherd wherever He leads.