All We Like Sheep

"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way."

Isaiah 53:6a (KJV)

Sheep seem to get a bad rap; they are called smelly, self-absorbed, and stupid.

Smelly: anyone that has owned a wool coat can vouch for how easily wool collects dirt and odors. Sheep often have very thick coats of wool until they are sheared. Their wool continually grows thicker and sheep do not shed. If they are not sheared, sheep would become wool blind-the wool would grow so thick around their head that they would no longer be able to see. Wool blindness would lead to death since they could no longer see to find food or water. Shearing is necessary and it helps to cleanse them from a year's worth of filth. Sheep cannot simply walk into a pond to rinse off as this would make the wool too heavy for them to climb out of the pond and they would easily tire and drown.

Self-Absorbed: like most animals, sheep are typically concerned with only a few things-and all of them have to do with their own survival or pleasure. Sheep spend seven hours a day grazing. While sheep are herd animals, they keep their heads down almost the entire day as they move from one clump of grass to another, usually completely oblivious to the rest of the herd. If sheep concern themselves with the herd it is only for their own self-interests.

Stupid: while they spend most of their time grazing, sheep would starve or perish if not led to a safe place to eat. Sheep seem oblivious to perils between them and their food. They have bad vision and with their heads down most of the day, they often go astray from the herd in their attempt to find another clump of grass. Since water could easily drown sheep and the sound of rushing water scares them, sheep could easily die of thirst even though standing right next to a river. They must be led to water sources that are safe for them. If danger does arrive, sheep simply huddle together in a herd rather than fight or flee.

Smelly, self-absorbed, and stupid does not sound very complimentary at all. Nobody would want to be associated with a sheep. Yet God compares His people with sheep. God does not say that we are smelly, self-absorbed, and stupid, but He does say that we are like sheep. And just like sheep, we need a Good Shepherd: to cleanse us from all of our filth and open our eyes; to help us become aware of our surroundings and others beside us; and to lead us to safe pastures and still waters.

While we may not like the comparison, God used it many times throughout scripture. The following scriptures are quoted from NIV1984.

• Matthew 9:36 - When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
• Mark 14:27 - "You will all fall away," Jesus told them, "For it is written: 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.'"
• Luke 15 - The parable of the lost sheep
• John 10:11 - I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep
• John 10:27 - My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me.
• John 21:17b - Jesus said, "Feed my sheep."
• Romans 8:36b - We are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.
• Hebrews 13:20b - That great Shepherd of the sheep.
• 1 Peter 2:25 - For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

God even designed his church with this comparison in mind: the pastors are the shepherds chosen by God to care for His people. The people are His flock. "Here's my concern: that you care for God's flock with all the diligence of a shepherd. Not because you have to, but because you want to please God. Not calculating what you can get out of it, but acting spontaneously. Not bossily telling others what to do, but tenderly showing them the way." 1 Peter 5:2-3 (The Message)

As a shepherd, the job of a pastor is to lead the flock. I take this responsibility very serious and have studied extensively on what leadership means. It does not mean that I am to herd the sheep like cowboys herd cattle; that is Western civilization's method for shepherding and it is not leadership. Biblical methods of shepherding teach us everything we need to know to be good leaders of our flocks. That is what I will discuss in my next blog post: "Shepherding vs. Herding".

This is part one in a series on Shepherding. I encourage you to read the other posts in the series:

2. Shepherding vs. Herding - driving the church forward or leading it by example?

3. Shepherds and Sabbaths - did God intend for pastors to rest?
4. Searching for Lost Sheep - it is not only the unsaved who can be lost.
5. My Sheep Hear My Voice - can you hear the voice of the shepherd?
6. Diligence of a Shepherd - What is one thing pastors should be diligent about?