My Good Shepherd

My Good Shepherd

Leaning lazily against an old rustic fence post, I  nonchalantly took in the scene at our local Agricultural Field Day. It was a scene I had witnessed many times before, the Australian way of moving sheep. I love Aussie sheep. I love the smell, I love the different tones of bleating, I love their peaceful grazing, I love the feel of their wool and I laugh at their mob mentality. Yes, I love Aussie sheep. An Australian saying that signifies the importance of the wool industry to our economy, particularly in our history, states that ‘ Australia rides on the sheep’s back’. Now here I was with the sights and sounds of the stock being moved, in a demonstration of the skill and expertise of the Aussie Kelpie dog. 

The paddock held a mob of about fifteen sheep for the demonstration. They huddled fearfully up one end, circling each other, yet staying in a close knit group. Their eyes were riveted on the other end of the paddock where the kelpies were tied in a row to the  old fence posts. The working dogs leaped, barked and strained on their leads with the excitement of the moment. The farmer, with his broad Australian accent of shortened words, run all together with distinctive Aussie phrases, was giving a fast paced commentary on how to successfully train and work your dog. Finally, he selected an eager, slightly built, black masked kelpie and unclipped his lead. He called to the dog who came and sat with impatient anticipation beside him, waiting his commands. With a series of short calls, hand signals and whistles, the kelpie was off and dashing. As he approached the sheep, the stock dog took on the form of predatory stalking towards the apprehensive animals.  The farmer kept up an array of whistles and the active kelpie was soon successfully manoeuvring the mob of anxious sheep toward the direction of the races, which were set up in the paddock to receive, hold and sort the sheep. The working dog used stealth, stalking and tactics of fear to push the sheep toward their destination. As they would turn in the wrong direction, the dog was fast to wheel them around, staring a lead sheep down with intimidation, coming at it from the front, yet circling around the mob to urge them forward from the back. Always the sheep were nervously moving, tense and watching for a way of escape. Finally, they were herded into the race with the kelpie jumping on their woolly backs to push them through until the metal gates could close in behind them with a clank. It was a job well done.

My mind wanders to another time and another place. I think of Jesus and the many occasions He  would have observed the pleasant passing scene of a shepherd with his sheep. How different was the middle eastern shepherd from our Aussie farmers. Instead of tactics of intimidation and driving the sheep through force and anxiety, the Shepherd of the Bible lands led his sheep with gentleness and kindness. As evening fell the shepherd would guide the sheep tenderly to a holding pen and lead them to safety, staying with the sheep through the night and often risking his own life to protect them. He would lovingly call the sheep and they knew his voice and with confidence they would only follow him. The shepherd of Israel was tender, kind, yet firmly protective of his sheep who trusted him and followed him knowing he was leading them to rich pastures.

Jesus is a good shepherd and we are His sheep. In John 10:11 the bible says, “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” What kind of shepherd is He? Does he drive and coerce, intimidate and force?  In Isa 40:11  it states, “Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs And carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes.” John 10:27  tells us, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me”

Who is my shepherd? Do I choose Jesus to gently lead me or do I allow another to push me in a way of his own choosing? Ps 23:1-4 “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

Today I choose Jesus to lead, comfort and restore me with His tender, loving kindness.