Part Four: The Good Shepherd Fought for His Flock

“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”
John 10:11

Imagine a small flock of sheep grazing peacefully on a hillside pasture.
Their shepherd notices a dark sky moving in fast, and before long the wind has picked up and rain is blowing in sheets across the field.

He’s already up and running to prod and move his frazzled sheep toward the safety of the barn a quarter mile away.
The sheep need little motivation and are soon running toward their safe haven.

As they pass a massive oak tree, a deafening bolt of lightning smashes into its branches, and a shower of limbs rains down on the flock.

One of the sheep has been struck by a branch and is struggling to walk.
The shepherd runs to help her and quickly inspects the wounds in the pouring rain.

There’s no choice but to carry it back. Straining hard, the shepherd heaves the sheep onto his shoulders and begins moving forward with steady determination. The other sheep walk with him, staying close by.

With just 100 yards to go, the shepherd is relieved that the rain is letting up, but now sees a dark shape racing down the hill toward he and his flock.

As it gets closer, he gets a chill. A lone wolf is moving in for the kill. He runs to place himself between the wolf and the flock, sets down the injured sheep, and faces the wolf with his staff at the ready.

An outlandish story?
Perhaps. But it pictures a shepherd with one thing on his mind: the protection of his flock, even to the point of death.

Jesus fought hard to get us to safety.
Jesus gave it all to get us back home.
The Good Shepherd died so that we might live for eternity with Him.
Remember that today, my friend.