The pen that sheep were often kept in had a small opening for the sheep to go in and out of.
The shepherd of the flock would lay in front of this opening at night and sleep there serving as a literal bodyguard to protect the sheep from any potential harm.
He would save them from wild animals that would try to enter the pen at night and devour the sheep.
His body would also prevent the sheep from leaving the boundaries of the pen and falling into danger. The shepherd was always on alert day and night. The safety of his flock was his main priority. As their only source of protection, it was his job to keep them safe. It was his job to see harm that they couldn’t.
Jesus says HE is our Good Shepherd and He literally laid down His life for us, saving us from eternal death. Protecting us from the most damning eternity fathomable.
He is our bodyguard watching carefully over His flock and protecting our coming in and going out day in and day out.
Jesus loves us, protects us, saves us, and leads us into good pastures. We can trust Him with our lives.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you” (Jeremiah 29:11).
He not only guards our lives like a shepherd guarding sheep, but He also gave up His life for us. He is our ultimate bodyguard, and we are safe in Him.
We have to accept that safety in Him though. When sheep stray, the shepherd would search, but sometimes the lost sheep was never found. We can’t be the lost sheep that can’t be found. We have to open our hearts and minds for Jesus to continue protecting us from the harm of this world and of eternity.
For further study, read these scriptures:
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.”
John 10:11 NLT
“The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.”
Psalms 23:1-3 NLT
Excerpt taken from He Calls Us by Name
