Our Shepherd and Guardian

"For you were like sheep going astray, but you have now returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of you souls" (1 Peter 2:25, HCSB).

Usually, people don't like to think of themselves as animals. When the lines of comparison point squarely at a herded animal, the impulse to reject such comparisons becomes stronger. We don't want to see ourselves as cattle. If you know much about sheep, you don't want to be compared to them either. Sheep are not very intelligent and lack a defense mechanism.

Peter's words here pull no punches. He not only compares us to sheep, but tells us we are the kind that wonder off from safety and protection. Does that make us brave, curious, or stupid? If it softens the blow, we'll use the term foolish. Curiosity can be fatal, just ask a cat. Doing dangerous things doesn't necessarily make us brave, we could just do them because we don't know any better.

Do you ever look back at events in your life and wonder how you made it out alive (and mostly sane)? Peter tells believers that it is their Shepherd and Guardian, Jesus Christ, that has brought them through.

Did you ever have the feeling someone was watching over you? It is popular in our culture to speak of guardian angels and deceased relatives as those who watch over us. However, Peter says we have the best Guardian: Jesus.

He is the Good Shepherd, who laid down his life for his sheep. He does not flee from danger, but guards his sheep with vigilance, so rest easy little lamb. Your Shepherd won't fail you.

The Good Shepherd

"I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep" (John 10:11).

I know very little about sheep.  I have read that sheep are known to be defenseless, stupid, and timid.  It upsets a lot of people to be compared with sheep.  Yet, the Lord compares his people to sheep all the time.  Jesus had compassion on the crowds because he viewed them as sheep with out a shepherd.  Thus, he viewed them as individuals in grave danger.

We imagine ourselves to be greater than sheep.  We take measures to protect ourselves against danger.  We wear seat belts, helmets, or life jackets. We insure ourselves, our cars, and our homes.  We participate in neighborhood watches and avoid strangers.  We buy guns, get concealed carry permits, and take self-defense courses.  We use these measures to assure ourselves that it is all okay.   But it's not.  Without Christ, we are sheep without a shepherd--defenseless, helpless, and weak.

We fool ourselves into believing that world isn't really a bad place, that the devil doesn't really exist, and we're not vulnerable to attack.  Yet, we are sheep in a world filled with lions, wolves, bears, etc.  We need a Shepherd who is might to save, who is always ready to protect us with his rod and his staff.

So often we are afraid to approach our Shepherd.  The reasons are numerous I am sure, but all are unfounded.  He invites us to come to him, to be near him.  He delights in protecting us, in comforting us, and in caring for us.  His voice is known to us; it resonates deep within our hearts calling us to him.

While we may not wish to be sheep, nevertheless, we are safe in the Good Shepherd's arms.  He is with us, even through the valley of the shadow of death.  He has prepared for us a table, and a cup that over flows.  His arms are mighty to save, so we can lay down in the green pastures and rest beside the still waters.

Because our Shepherd, Jesus Christ, laid down his life and took it up, we shall not want.  We lack no good thing.  We have forgiveness, cleansing, and a righteousness from heaven.  We have the Spirit of adoption, whereby, we cry "Abba, Father."  We have an inheritance.  We have a ministry of reconciliation.  We have a hope and a future.

Jesus said, "the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."  In essence, Jesus is telling us that he willfully exchanges his life for the life of his sheep.  By doing this he displays his goodness.  He demonstrates that it is his desire to rescue and not to destroy us.  It is easy to rest in a love like that.  As Isaiah says, "We all like sheep have gone astray" (Isa. 53:6).  The Good Shepherd is calling you to come, heed his voice and find rest for your weary soul.