The Sheep and the Shepherd

Jesus is the Good Shepherd.

11 I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. 13 This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep[a] that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again.[b] This command I have received from my Father.”-John10:11-18

Jesus is the Good Shepherd and He truly loves each and every sheep. When a 'wolf' comes, He doesn't abandon the flock. If even one leaves the flock, He searches for the lost one. Some say what foolishness to leave the 99 for just a single lost sheep! What if the wolf comes along in His absence? Jesus loves us so much that no one is too small or too trivial to ignore, each is important and well-loved by Him. He searches for the lost one - whoever or whatever it may be - because He loves it so much. But leaving the 99 doesn't mean He doesn't love them (perhaps He knows that the 99 will stay and remain where He left them, are safe, and can possibly defend themselves if needed). He looks for the lost one because it needs help the most. We are the sheep and Jesus is our Good Shepherd. He will never allow that harm or evil will come upon us. He will never allow that we get lost. Should we find ourselves harmed, lost or in the midst of evil around us, Jesus will come to give justice, peace and love. The question is, do we hide, run away or come to Jesus when He calls?

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