DAILY DEVOTION, April 5, 2021

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

Peter compares our life before salvation as being like sheep who have gone astray. A student was presented with the following problem. Suppose there are 40 sheep in a sheep pen and 15 escape through a hole in the fence. How many sheep are left? The student replies, “None.” The teacher says, “Son, you don’t know math very well.” The student replies, “But I do know sheep.”

The student understood that sheep are escape artists with a strong tendency to follow the crowd. They are also defenseless against predators. I guess you can say that sheep are much like people. Jesus frequently referred to His followers as sheep. However, we have ceased to be wandering sheep. We have turned to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and now we listen to Him. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give them eternal life…”  (John 10:27-28). We no longer follow the crowd or our instincts. We follow Jesus. That is what redeemed sheep do. And those who follow Him receive a gift – – – eternal life.

Yes, there are predators in the world seeking to snatch up wandering sheep.  He is called “the prince of this world,” and he has lots of demonic helpers. We have to decide. Will we follow the Good Shepherd, or will we allow the prince of this world to gain the upper hand?

Dear Lord and Father of mankind, thank You for sending the Good Shepherd into the world to redeem us.  I want to be a wise sheep who always listens to the voice of the Good Shepherd. In His name, I pray, Amen.