THE SHEPHERD AND HIS FLOCK

Life isn’t always what we expect it to be, is it? That’s because, as we race through life day after day, we somehow get conned into the mantra of the times. I call it the “great lie”.

It goes something like this: If you earn lots of money and spend it on this car, that house, these clothes, or that holiday – then you’ll be happy.

That lie is painful for everyone, rich and poor alike. People who don’t have enough food and shelter see this dream of wealth and it aches to know they have so little, while others have so much. It’s just not fair.

Then… the wealthy spend their whole lives chasing happiness in material things, only to be disappointed at every turn. Suddenly, they’re looking back on a wasted life… and that’s a tragedy. 

So, what’s the answer?

Jesus never promised great health or great wealth, a well-paid job or an easy road. But He did promise that you and I would have life – abundant life – if we follow Him. 

“The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, the sheep hear his voice, he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he’s brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them and the sheep will follow him because they know his voice… The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd, the shepherd lays down his life for his sheep” (John 10:2–4, 10–11).

Many people think this means they’ll live a golden, trouble-free life with Jesus. But His promise of an abundant life isn’t a promise to make all our hurts and problems go away, or to make all our circumstances pleasant, or all our relationships wonderful, or all our finances and all our futures rosy. No! 

The promise of an abundant life comes to us in the context of sheep following their shepherd in a dangerous place.

It comes to us in the real rough and tumble of life, as we live under the protection, the safety and the sacrificial love of the one true shepherd: Jesus.

The abundant life is amazing, but it isn’t easy… and there’s a reason why. We’ll look at that tomorrow.

LIFE APPLICATION QUESTIONS 

1. Think about your natural expectations of what life should be like. What exactly are you expecting? 
2. Now, compare those expectations with your experience as one of the shepherd’s sheep, walking the rocky, dangerous, mountain paths of life. Is there a gap between expectation and reality? 
3. How much do you think this gap has contributed to your disappointments and frustrations in following Jesus? As one of His sheep, what’s the most important thing you need to do now?  
4. Take a moment to pray to the Good Shepherd about the things you have going on in your life. Take your problems to Him and ask Him to give you His abundant life. 

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