JESUS: THE SHEPHERD
DECEMBER 12, 1999
JOHN 10:11-30

      As a young girl I grew up on my grandparent’s small farm in Oklahoma. Grannie was, and still is, a homemaker beyond compare. She was, and still is, the talker in the family. She always had something funny to say. Gramps, on the other hand, was very quiet and not much of a talker. When he did, E.F. Hutton listened. Gramps raised an abundance of chickens, a few hogs, cattle, and a small herd of sheep. Each morning he and his dog, Dusty, would go to the barn to do the chores, which included letting the sheep out to pasture. The sheep would frolic in the cool morning air as if to say, "thanks for getting us away from those noisy roosters!" The sheep would make their way down from the pasture to the pond; they always liked to hang around the pond. I never knew a time that Gramps had to fix the fence, or even find one wandering in an area it did not belong because the sheep knew their boundaries. In the evening, Gramps would send Dusty down to the pond to take the sheep back to the barn. Gramps would stand at the back porch and count the sheep as they passed by. When all were counted, he would close the barn door for safekeeping. Every once in a while, one of the younger lambs was not so cooperative in getting into the barn. Gramps would slowly leave the porch, climb over the fence, and head toward the pond. The lamb seemed to know that he meant business, and together they made their way back to the barn. I never saw him run after them or yell at them. He would only holler as if to call them home.

   How much the actions of my Gramps reminds me of Jesus, our Good Shepherd. Each morning He is there calling me by my name as we start out the day together. I know His voice, for we have talked many times. He has protected me through the night and is ready to walk with me through any situation I may encounter. He gives me guidance as I daily rely on His Word. When I hear His voice, I am reminded how much he loves me. I want to be obedient to His will so that I may, in some small way, show Him how much I love Him. However, there are many times in my life I choose to show my stubborn, strong-willed spirit like the lamb. But, like my Gramps, Jesus does not yell at me. However, He knows how to get my attention, and yes, as we walk together, I will someday enter into " His barn"-heaven.

John 10:11-30  “11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-- 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father--and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life-- only to take it up again. 18 No-one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father." 19 At these words the Jews were again divided. 20 Many of them said, "He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?" 21 But others said, "These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?" 22 Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon's Colonnade. 24 The Jews gathered round him, saying, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." 25 Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no-one can snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no-one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”

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