Sheep are mentioned in the Bible more than any other animal. They were used for all kinds of things: clothes, dinner, religion – there is a lot you can do with a sheep. They often traveled in herds and were tended to by a shepherd. He would make sure to lead them to places to graze and eat, but also protect them from predators. Because sheep were used for so much they were a prized possession and often the shepherd would know how many were in his care. This was especially true for when a sheep wandered off and the shepherd must seek it out. 

Sheep also became great metaphors for the people of God, and it was often said that all of us were sheep without a shepherd. This means that we wandered for a food source and were without protection. It means we didn’t have any sort of care or guidance so that our grazing was without true aim. It means that we were becoming separated from the herd. But Matthew makes it clear through citing Micah 5:2 that one of Jesus’ primary roles was to be the Shepherd of his people.

Psalm 23 expresses the idea of what the Shepherd would do. He would lead us to green pastures and still waters to rest and restore us. He would use his strength to defend us from the enemies’. He would gather us together so that we could enjoy a life of fellowship not only with each other, but with him. Jesus is the Shepherd we need. He is the Shepherd willing to lay down his life. Even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we no longer fear evil. Let Jesus guide your life.