Saturday, April 27, 2013

THE SHEEP OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD


Often times, a sheep is described as a meek animal and vulnerable to various dangers.  Without a shepherd to guide and protect them, there is a great tendency that they will not know where to go, lose the sense of direction and become astray, and even worst, they will be defenseless when attacked by wolves.

Our Lord Jesus Christ presents himself to us as the good shepherd.  He cares for all His sheep.  He knows them well and he knows what they need.  The only concern of the sheep is food and water, yet, Jesus does not only satisfies His sheep with material food but also with the spiritual food, that is, His Bread and His Word.  He protects them so as no one will snatch them out of His hand and He also leads them to the abundant pastures of His Father.



Probably, a hired shepherd would not take great risk on behalf of the sheep, and worst, maybe in time of danger, he might even flee and leaving the flock behind to be feasted upon by wolves or by thieves.  Money in exchange of service is not always a good motivator for courage and commitment.  Most of the time, it is love that motivates us to commit ourselves to others especially those who are in need.  Jesus is a good shepherd, in as much as He is always willing to do everything for His sheep and He even gives His own life in order to keep them safe.

The distinguishing mark of Jesus’ sheep is their willingness to hear and obey, just as disobedience is the mark of those who are not His.  In other words, the sheep that belong to Jesus are characterized by obedience, that is, the recognition of the voice of the Shepherd and following His command or instruction.  Now, as persons claiming to be Christians, who are followers of Christ, did we ever dare to ask ourselves: are we really the sheep of Jesus, listening to His voice and obeying Him?  Or are we simply His sheep by name?



As Christians, and true followers of Jesus, we are expected to do what the Good Shepherd did.  Our courage and commitment for the service of others, who are considered also the sheep, must always be motivated by love, so that we can faithfully and joyfully perform our tasks whether it is of small or of great importance, and even willingly and readily risk our life in face of danger in order to save them.  Now, let us start to do even the ordinary things with extraordinary love, and that we can be truly become the followers of Jesus, counted as one of His good and obedient sheep.  By true spirit of commitment to everything good we do, we can also become a good shepherd like our Jesus, tending and shepherding our fellow sheep.

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