Is it a coincidence that God’s people are frequently referred to as sheep ? In studying John 10, where Jesus proclaims, “I am the good shepherd.” and where he refers to his followers as his sheep who know his voice and follow him, I realized that I know very little about sheep. I have tended chickens, bred rabbits, housed cats, dogs, guinea pigs, hamsters and even a rat. And yet God does not compare his people to any of these creatures. So why of all the domesticated animals would Jesus use sheep as his analogic animal of choice? I had to find out. These are some interesting facts that I learn from various sources about sheep behavior.

• Sheep are valuable. In ancient middle eastern culture, sheep were one of the measures of one’s wealth. 
• Sheep are exceedingly vulnerable. They have no natural defenses, except for horns in some breeds. They are easy prey for predators.
• Sheep are flock animals and therefore thrive in community. An isolated sheep is a distressed sheep and an even more vulnerable sheep.
• Sheep are instinctual followers. Ideally they will follow a good shepherd. Sheep have been known to follow a dominant flock member, even if that lead sheep plunges off a cliff!
• Sheep have good memories. They will remember routines and follow them “religiously”. As well they will remember traumas and the source or location of that trauma and then “religiously” avoid the person or place of that trauma thereafter.
• Sheep love routine. They are perfectly comfortable doing the same things, feeding in the same pasture, returning to the same pen at the same time of day. This makes them quite easy to tend.
• Sheep are stubborn. Their routine loving natures are a detriment when the pasture no longer has grass and the pen is no longer safe. The sheep have to be moved regularly by the shepherd for their own health and benefit, but they don’t like it.
• Sheep prefer to be led by the calm, patient presence of their shepherd. They are prone to panic and scattering if driven from behind. Their excellent hearing causes them to be easily frightened by loud noises.
• Sheep have good peripheral vision but poor central vision and depth perception. Their peripheral vision helps them to detect predators but their inadequate central vision can result in them falling into ditches or gullies. A shepherd leading them safely is their best protection.
• Sheep are trainable. As lambs, they will quickly learn to distinguish their mother’s bleats as distinct from all others. Once weaned they can be trained to know the unique voice or call of their shepherd as their new source of protection and provision.
• Sheep can tend to wander. Despite their following nature, sheep can get separated from the flock for many reasons. They may be injured or weak, or they may have been scattered by a predator, or they may just be a willfully independent and stubborn sheep. Whatever the reason, once they are isolated, they are exceedingly vulnerable. A good shepherd knows when one is missing and will search for that sheep and bring it back to the flock. 

I don’t know about you, but as I researched these qualities (and there are many others) I began to recognize tendencies in myself. Here are some of the ways that I related these attributes:

• I am valuable. I am valuable to God who made me in his image and laid down his life to rescue me from the predators of sin and death and satan.
• I am vulnerable. I am vulnerable to attack and affliction from this disease-ridden, natural disaster-afflicted, war and violence torn, sin- infested world.
• I am social. I am meant to live in community. We have all recently had this highlighted as we still reel from the effects of Covid isolation. As a Christ followers, I am meant to live in community where I am best provided for and protected. An isolated Christian is a vulnerable Christian.
• I am a follower of something or someone. I will either be shepherded by the world’s various shepherds who promise transient protection and provision, or I will choose to follow Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep.
• I have a good memory. Actually I don’t, but I am impressionable and those lasting impressions of pain or distress may constrain my life choices. I may perpetually avoid opportunities for growth and usefulness based upon a distant memory of a past trauma. 
• I love routine. I am a creature of habit and even when that habit, that comfort zone, no longer feeds me or blesses others, I tend to return mindlessly to the same over-grazed pastures.
• I am stubborn. I want what I want, when I want it. When the good shepherd suggests that I move on, try something outside of my comfort zone, risk doing or saying something that is unfamiliar, I resist. Growing my faith and trust in the good shepherd’s wisdom, character and intentions are ways that can help to push me past my stubborn inclination.
• I prefer to be spoken to calmly and politely. Loud, demanding, confrontational, panic-inducing voices are all around me and even within me. These can drive me toward actions that separate me from the calm and steady voice of the good shepherd.
• I have good peripheral vision but lack depth perception. I can see what those around me are doing and compare myself with them, but I cannot see into the future. I need to trust the visionary leadership of the good shepherd to direct me.
• I am trainable. I can be trained to recognize His voice above all others. Jesus told his first disciples, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” Familiarizing myself with his character and his voice through reading scripture is one of the best training methods.
• I tend to wander. Weakness, willfulness -” Prone to wander Lord, I feel it. Prone to leave the one I love…” is what the old hymnist wrote. Recognizing that this tendency will always be present, allows me to sing the second part of that refrain regularly; “Here’s my heart, O take and seal it.”.

What about you? Can you relate to  these sheep qualities?

 Vulnerable and yet exceedingly valuable?

 Stubborn and yet trainable?

 Lacking clear vision as to what lies ahead? 

Needing to be lead by a calm patient shepherd, not driven from behind by the loud demands of the other voices?

A follower of something or someone yet who tends to wander?

Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow me.” Jn.10:11,27