I'm like a sheep. I need a shepherd who has already given his life to rescue me from wolves. I need the good shepherd, Jesus, as my shepherd. Because Jesus is my shepherd, I know that if I listen to him, I will hear his voice calling me. I can be sure that I am his because I recognize his voice.
This is both the most consoling and the most insulting of Jesus’ metaphorical pictures of the relationship in which we have salvation.
It is very comforting to know that Jesus gives me eternal life and I will never perish, if I am His.
But I can only receive this consolation if I am his… sheep!
Oh, Lord God, why do I have to be a sheep? I am Homo sapiens and I have wisdom. It’s even in the name of my species. Sheep are so stupid!
Sheep usually don’t know where they’re going unless they’re led or driven.
Like me.
Sheep are easily confused.
Like me.
Usually, a sheep follows the flock. If its neighbors are running toward the cliff, a sheep will run off the same precipice.
Like me.
But sheep, when they are near the edge of the flock, also like to ignore the shepherd and their neighbors. So these sheep wander away. A straying sheep thinks it knows more than its shepherd about where to feed. All it really knows is how to go where the wolves are.
Like me.
So I need a good shepherd. I need a shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep. I need a shepherd who has already given his life to rescue me from wolves. I need the good shepherd, Jesus, as my shepherd.
Because Jesus is my shepherd, I know that if I listen to him, I will hear his voice calling me. I can be sure that I am his because I recognize his voice.
Next: Am I blind? Can I spot a thief?
Amen.