A Shepherd's Perspective

There are many precious and eternal truths to be learned from God's creation. One of the most interesting and fascinating of all of God's creatures is the lowly sheep. But for the sheep flock to prosper, there must be a loving and watchful shepherd.

Without a doubt, spring is the busiest time on a shepherd's calendar. The ewes are heavy with lamb, their wool coat is thick and in need of shearing, and the sheep are longing to get out of the barn onto green pastures and into the sunshine. The spring is a time of new birth, and the beginning of new life on the farm. Each springtime I am reminded of the Bible verse, "Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Cor. 5:17).

The spring lambing shed is a busy place, with activity day and night taking care of the new mothers and lambkins. This is when the shepherd spends a lot of time on his hands and knees, providing the help that makes such a difference in the prosperity of his flock. The lambs must get some of the ewe's "first milk" shortly after birth. This milk, colostrum, contains special antibodies to fight disease, and vitamins necessary for proper health and growth. Without colostrum, the new lamb will almost certainly perish.

Why does the shepherd expend endless effort to take care of his flock? The most important reason is because he loves his sheep. Our Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ says, "I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep," and "My Sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me (John 10:11,27,28).

After the lambing season is over the hardest job of all for the shepherd is getting the sheep sheared. The wool must be removed. Consider Isaiah 1:18: "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." When the sheep is sheared, the wool is removed. God tells us that though our sins be like crimson, they shall be as wool—removed from us, just as the wool is removed from the sheep. "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29; 1 John 1:7). Wonderful comfort to our souls! The sheep is relieved when the heavy wool is taken away. We are relieved when the burden of sin is removed, and our God is glorified. "Blessed [happy] is he whose transgression is forgiven" (Psalm 32:1).

Now that the lambing season is over and the sheep are sheared, it is time to treat the flock for parasites and turn them on fresh pasture for the growing season. It is interesting to watch a contented flock as they are turned onto a fresh, new pasture. They will lower their heads and begin grazing. Not so with cattle or swine. Cattle will immediately walk the fences to see if they can get out, and hogs will begin squealing and run in every direction.

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures" (Psalm 23:1,2). The contented sheep eats the good pasture, then must lie down to rest. The sheep is a ruminant animal so must regurgitate what has recently been eaten and chew it again. The food passes through a stomach with four compartments before being fully digested and utilized by the sheep. This resting and chewing the cud cannot take place if the sheep is distressed or bothered by predators or pests. The good shepherd is nearby to provide the needed protection and security.

We are so much like the sheep. We are dependent upon the good food—the Word of God—and the Good Shepherd—the Lord Jesus—to feed our souls. We read the Word and then we must go aside to meditate upon it and make it ours. When we do, we are happy and blessed. "Blessed is he that readeth … and keep[eth] those things which are written therein" (Rev. 1:3); see also Joshua 1:8; 1 Tim. 4:13-16).

The day comes when the fatted lamb is ready for the butcher. Lamb, properly prepared, is delicious and is the only meat accepted by all races, nationalities, creeds, and religions. Lamb is also the first meat served to patients in many hospitals after operations because it is so easily digested.

There are some precious lessons to be learned at the time of sheep shearing and lamb slaughter. "He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth" (Isaiah 53:7),

The sheep is very meek and submissive, and does not need to be restrained while being sheared. A good shearer sits the sheep and rolls her into proper positions for shearing. She is submissive throughout. At the slaughter pen, the sheep is always very quiet, but goats bleat and cry out.

Our blessed Lord Jesus was the perfectly obedient One who willingly went to the cross. There He suffered at the hands of man, and at the hands of a righteous God: yet He opened not His mouth (1 Peter 2:21-25).

We learn so much as we trace the seasons of the sheep and the work of the Good Shepherd. We, as His sheep and His people need to ever be led by Him and look forward to being with Him throughout eternity.

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever" (Psalm 23:6).

—Bob Francis