JUNE 29, John 10:1-11

There were shepherds since the days of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Sheep and goats provided wool, milk, meat and leather. The horns were used as trumpets and containers for oil. Sheep and goats were part and parcel of the animal sacrifice in the temple. They were also a measure of wealth.

One shepherd could be employed by a number of owners to look after their sheep and he would hire helpers. For any animal that was lost, the shepherd had to pay its owner. Helpers hired by the shepherd did not have the same responsibility. Sheep get lost easily and are easy prey for wild animals. Therefore, a good shepherd would never fail to carry a staff, a rod and a sling with him. The sling is similar to what David used to kill Goliath. The shepherd would lead them forward to the pastures and dogs would be at the rear to guard them from straying.

Though they might be many in number, the sheep are known individually by the shepherd. Each night, he would sort them out by ownership. Ever wonder what names do sheep have? The sheep would recognise only the shepherd’s voice. In the evenings, the shepherd would gather his sheep into a fold. The fold had only one door and the shepherd would lie across the doorway to protect his sheep with his own body. Sometimes, thieves could climb over the low wall, kill some of the sheep and throw the carcasses over the wall to accomplices.

The Bible mentions shepherds fondly. The first privileged few to hear the good tidings of Jesus’ birth were shepherds. Young David was a shepherd before he became a king. Jesus, a descendant of David, describes himself as the Good Shepherd.

Look at the picture of the shepherd below. The staff is in his hand. Draw a sheep standing up.

Thought: Like sheep we often go astray. Jesus is the Good Shepherd whom we must follow.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the Lord Jesus who is Good Shepherd watching over me. Help me never to stray from You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.