The Good Shepherd | Message for All Ages

Read John 10:1-10

I have a question—What does it mean to be a sheep? 

Calling someone a "sheep" is a way of saying they just go with whatever other people are doing, instead of thinking for themselves. They go along with the crowd. They do whatever powerful people tell them to do. 

It’s not a kind thing to call someone, and it makes sheep seem stupid. 

But sheep are not stupid. 

Did you know that Ames and I used to be shepherds? 

These are some photos of our sheep.

Sheep are really awesome—

They’re sweet, curious, and silly. They can be really cuddly. 

And their hair makes the coolest thing. Do you know what it’s called? 

Wool—! A textile that was used to make clothes, blankets, and even cowboy hats! 

After getting our first flock of sheep, I learned that sheep are not stupid/ They’re actually pretty smart—they just have a different kind of intelligence than what we usually think of. 

I heard one shepherd put it like this—

A sheep knows how to take care of her own. 

Her fellow sheep are her responsibility, just as she is theirs. 

If one in the group is not free to live safely, neither is she. 

Sheep take care of each other. 

They pay careful attention to their surroundings. 

They use their brains and their sharp senses to stay safe.

Sometimes they can seem a little overly cautious, and their reactions can seem like overkill, but that's because they like to make sure to keep the whole flock safe. 

If one gets spooked, they all go running—sticking together until the know everyone’s alright.  

If you think about it, a flock of sheep is not just made up of individual organisms; it is itself a kind of living organism. It’s one whole. 

A sheep that has lost its flock can get very sad, because their family and friends are part of who it is. 

Which is true for us, too. We are who we are because of all the people in our lives who care for us and help us to live our best lives. 

Today, Jesus tells us a story about a Good Shepherd who takes care of his sheep.  

In the story, Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and the people who follow him are his sheep.

He is not calling his followers stupid or careless.

He is using a metaphor to describe his love and care for us. 

He offers us comfort when we are scared.  

Help when we are lost. 

And wisdom to help us grow. 

And that he knows every one of us and cares for us all. 

Jesus’ story ends with this promise—I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly. 

Jesus teaches us how to live the best kind of life possible. He helps all of us live as a family that loves and cares for one another, just like sheep do, with his guidance and protection as our Good Shepherd. 

That sounds like good news to me. How about you?

Rev. Delaney shared this Message for All Ages on 4.26.26.