I was recently in Central Asia on the way to preach in a small town. The views were magnificent as we crossed a low-lying mountain range. As I looked out the window of our car, I was intrigued to see several flocks of sheep, each being led by a shepherd. Indeed, the sheep were following the shepherds. One shepherd was cradling a lamb in his arms, as he led the flock uphill to an area of grass that had not been grazed.

 Just a few days later in a neighboring city, I was sharing with a group of emerging leaders on the use of word pictures in preaching and teaching. During a break my interpreter told me, “There are some illustrations that we don’t use here.” I asked which he was referring to. “We don’t call people sheep here. It is offensive.”

 Sheep… You have probably heard the comparisons as someone preached from one of the many texts likening the Church to a flock of sheep. Sheep are not very smart. Sheep are helpless. Sheep stink. Sheep make a mess. Not very flattering images, but especially offensive to people who live in a culture where sheep are prevalent. These descriptions may not be very gratifying, but as they are biblical, they are meant for our understanding, edification and even correction. Just because something offends, it should not be avoided.

Even as I was talking to my interpreter, trying to think of a way to convince him that maybe the imagery of sheep was not as bad as it could be, it dawned on me that we were approaching the subject backwards. Before starting with the sheep, start with the Shepherd.

The sheep, in the care of the shepherd, lack for nothing. Though sheep are not smart enough to find their way, the shepherd knows exactly where to lead them.

 In the well-known 23rd Psalm, David, who was once a shepherd himself, declared, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” The sheep, in the care of the shepherd, lack for nothing. Though sheep are not smart enough to find their way, the shepherd knows exactly where to lead them. The shepherd takes the sheep to green pastures of rest and provision. He leads the sheep to places of refreshing, places that the sheep would not find on its own. Sheep are nervous animals. They are afraid to drink water that is agitated or flowing quickly. The shepherd understands the needs of his sheep and takes them to pools of still water. When our bodies are weary, our spirits are hungry, and our souls are thirsty, all we like sheep are led by the Good Shepherd to exactly what we need (Philippians 4:19).

 Sheep are relatively helpless, defenseless creatures, even when fully grown. That is not an encouraging thought, particularly in cultures where self-sufficiency and strength are idealized. In recounting some of his exploits to King Saul, David told him of times when bears and lions attempted to take sheep from the flock. With the Lord’s help, David protected and delivered the sheep (1 Samuel 17:34-37). A good shepherd cares for his flock with the same care that a good parent offers to his children. “He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young” (Isaiah 40:11). Thinking of oneself as weak is not a gratifying exercise. Yet, when we realize that all we like sheep really are helpless, we can take comfort in knowing that in our weakness, the strength of the shepherd is revealed (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

 The shepherd does everything possible to keep his sheep together, understanding that when they are by themselves they are utterly helpless. When separated from the flock, sheep are bewildered, for they have very little sense of direction. One of the unfortunate characteristics of sheep is their tendency to wander. The psalmist understood this when he wrote, “I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek you servant…” (Psalm 119:176). The prophet, Isaiah, used the imagery of sheep, lambs and shepherds many times in his writings and reminds us, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way…” (Isaiah 53:6). The shepherd looks for the sheep who has strayed (Luke 15:4) and rejoices when it has been found. The psalmist wrote, “He restores my soul.” The shepherd causes life to return to the sheep when it is weary from wandering. All we like sheep were at one time lost, but the Good Shepherd came looking for us and found us (Luke 19:10)

 As Jesus was teaching his disciples using the analogy of sheep, he reminded them, “He calls his own sheep by name” (John 10:3). The Good Shepherd cares for the entire flock, but also for the individual sheep. The relationship is mutual. Jesus, in explaining to his disciples that he is the good shepherd, told them, “I know my own and my own know me” (John 10:14). All we like sheep should take great comfort in the knowledge that we are known by the Good Shepherd and that we know him. The Good Shepherd, who never forgets a single sheep, has carved our names into the palm of his hand (Isaiah 49:16)

 It was not uncommon for flocks of sheep to intermingle, particularly in feeding places or while being watered at a well. Jacob saw such a mixture of sheep from three different flocks as he was journeying through the land of the Eastern people (Genesis 29:3). When the time comes for the flocks to be separated, it is simply a matter of the shepherd calling out to his flock. While sheep have so many weaknesses, they do have the ability to identify the voice of their shepherd. Even when several flocks mix together, when the flock’s true shepherd speaks, the sheep separate and follow him. “The sheep follow him, for they know his voice” (John 10:4). Though sheep are fearful animals, quick to spook, the voice of the shepherd not only leads, but calms. All we like sheep hear the voice of the Shepherd every time we open his Word. The voice of the Good Shepherd speaks to us through his Word. It is the source of provision, the Bread of Life. It is the source of healing. The source of cleansing. The source of courage. The source of guidance.

 In explaining the importance of the shepherd to his disciples, Jesus mentioned that some “shepherds” are only hirelings. They watch the flock only because they are paid to do so. He mentioned the hirelings as a way to highlight the fact that he is the Good Shepherd. “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). The Good Shepherd has paid for the privilege of shepherding his sheep with the greatest price possible—his very life.  Scripture says that we were ransomed with the precious blood of Jesus Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. (It is interesting to note that Christ was not offended by being likened to a sheep.) Even when we were sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).

The Good Shepherd, who never forgets a single sheep, has carved our names into the palm of his hand (Isaiah 49:16)

 Considering his provision and care, contemplating his Word, and recognizing his kindness takes some of the sting out of being referred to as sheep. Yet, when we consider the words of Isaiah, we realize that we are in good company. Jesus, who called us sheep, is identified with us, and we with him. “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is lead to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth” (Isaiah 53:6-7).

 The Good Shepherd, as a sheep, secured our pardon, and purchased our salvation. That makes me glad to be a sheep of his pasture. “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).