Our Identity in Christ [Sheep]…

November 7, 2007 | 12:20 PM

“For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” (1 Peter 2:25, ESV)

In several particular instances in the New Testament, the people of God are alluded to as sheep (John 10:1-5, Acts 20:28-29, and 1 Peter 2:25 are the primary examples). The sheep-shepherd theme is alluded to more than a few times throughout scripture- probably because shepherding was common in the ancient Near East, and everybody at the time would have understood the illustration.

Sheep are dumb. Really, really stupid animals. It would be easy to take offense to such a description of God’s Church, then. We, the followers of Jesus, are being called stupid. How great an offense! After all, we’re the ones who chose to follow the One True God. But this illustration is completely accurate. As Peter said, “we all like sheep have been led astray!” So often we are led astray- by the idols of our world: money, fame, power, sex, family, and the pursuit of happiness. But Peter is clear to remind us: “but you returned to your Overseer, your Shepherd, your Savior.” Consider the words of Jesus:

“I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them.

Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” (John 10:1-18, NIV)

But Jesus tells us that as sheep we’re smart enough to know who our Shepherd is. The imagery is clear- the thief cannot lead the sheep, only steal them. As sheep we follow the Shepherd of our Souls, Jesus Christ. We answer only to his voice.

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Even 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. (Psalm 23:1-4, NIV)

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Posted in Christianity, Identity in Christ Series, Life, Theology