Sheep-i-ness

Jesus repeatedly described the people of God as sheep, and for good reason. Sheep are not exactly quick of mind, if you know what I mean. They’re…

• Timid, fearful, and easily panicked

• Typically stupid and gullible

• Vulnerable to fear, frustration, pests, and hunger

• Easily influenced by a strong, calm leader

• Easily prodded into a stampede—they’re vulnerable to a “mob mentality”

• Have little or no means of self-defense, and are easily killed by their predators

• Jealous and competitive for dominance

• Always seeking fresh water and fresh pastures, but aren’t very discerning in their choices

• Stubborn and always insisting on their own way

• Easily tipped over onto their back, and are unable to right themselves

• Bothered by someone who tries to clean or shear their wool

• Creatures of habit that often get stuck in “ruts”

• Needy—they require more care than any other livestock

It’s hard to write all this, knowing that Jesus compares us to this embarrassing animal. In fact, it’s pretty easy to see myself in a lot of these bullet points. But here’s an overarching truth about Jesus’ relationship with sheep: “When [Jesus] saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36–37 NIV). The deepest truth is summed up in a well-known lyric from a children’s song: “Jesus loves me, this I know…” He wants to shepherd us because he loves us. Sheep don’t need a better understanding of how to avoid getting eaten by wolves; we need a deeper trust in and obedience to our fierce Shepherd, who will look out for us, defend us, and rescue us.