The Shepherd's Care

Matthew 9
v.35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.
v.36 When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
v.37 Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.
v.38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field."

We are the sheep of the Lord; He is our shepherd. We are gathered in flocks and placed in pastures which give us the nutrition and the environment we need. The shepherd appoints caretakers to watch over us and guard us. We draw comfort from each other as we each trust the Shepherd of our souls. 

We do not all need the same environment. Some are placed in high meadows near rushing water, some are in low fields by slow streams. As some labor with new additions to the flock and care for them as they grow and gain strength, shelter is provided and special accommodations are made in the spirit.

Genesis 29:7 "Look," Jacob said, "the sun is still high; it is not time for the flocks to be gathered. Water the sheep and take them back to pasture."

Sheep need regular care and attention. In the morning, they need to graze; in midday, they need shade to rest under. By evening, they need to be brought in and watered and checked for any injuries and counted to be sure none have strayed. 

In springtime, the winter coat of wool needs to be sheared so that the oppressive summer heat and increased insects and flies will not cause harm. As winter approaches, the flock needs to be checked and weaker ones may need to be put up in shelter and fed extra rations to get them through the harsh conditions.

Shepherds do not boast about the intelligence and aptitude of their sheep, but they do have caring relationships with their flock. It only takes a time or two of watching a flock of sheep follow each other down a trail and see each one jump over the shadow of a branch that extends across the trail simply because the one in front of them jumped over it before we realize that to be a flock under the care of the Great Shepherd says more about the Shepherd than it does about the sheep.

Genesis 29:10 When Jacob saw Rachel, daughter of Laban, his mother's brother, and Laban's sheep, he went over and rolled the stone away from the mouth of the well and watered his uncle's sheep.

The Shepherd lays down His life for the flock. He knows each sheep individually, calls it by name, spends time making sure He has a personal relationship with each one and that each sheep will know and recognize His voice, distinct from all other voices that may be heard in a pasture or a marketplace. 

The Shepherd watches out for the flock, looking ahead for new pasture and clean water, moving the sheep from one meadow to another, ensuring there is good grass and no noxious weeds, which some sheep seem determined to seek out and eat. If the flock stays too long in one meadow, illness can develop and parasites can become a problem, so a grazing rotation among fields is needed - the Shepherds sees to that.

When predators are near, the Shepherd remains vigilant and stays alert, watching for any incursions from outside and making sure none of the sheep stray. He gives up any time of rest so that the flock can rest easily.

Matthew 9
v.22 Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," He said, "your faith has healed you." and the woman was healed from that moment.
v.25 After the crowd had been put outside, He went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up.
v.29 Then He touched their eyes and said "According to your faith will it be done to you";

Turn to the Lord, in faith, knowing that as a shepherd, He has compassion for you and is concerned for all that troubles you. His desire is to have you rest in Him, find peace in your heart and mind as you let Him deal with those things that you cannot change. Let His rod and staff comfort you, knowing He can lift you from where you have fallen and extract you from what you are tangled in. He has balm for the wounds and cuts you receive during the day, and He is strong to drive away attackers. He carries you when you are injured or too weak to move with the flock, and He chooses to spend time with you and be your personal Shepherd and Savior. Accept the food He brings, the shelter He gives, the care He provides. He has your best interest at heart.

Lord Jesus, You are the Great Shepherd and we accept the care You give us. Thank you for searching for us and bringing us in from the storm when we could not find a way. We are often bewildered by all that goes on around us, but we listen for Your voice to give us peace and calm. When we hear You speak to our hearts and feel Your arms around us, we know we are safely in Your care.

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