"The sheep are out!"

Whenever those words echoed through the farmhouse, everyone knew what it meant: "Drop what you are doing and get outside!"

It was urgent, lest the sheep trample the garden or wander into danger by reaching the highway.

The call for help needed multiple responders because even though the sheep somehow wiggled their wooly frames through the smallest of gaps in the fence, they would run right past the pasture's wide-open gate if a person wasn't there to stop them.

These escape artists were not underfed, and they had plenty of pastureland to roam. Yet they were discontent, wanted what they could not have, kept leaving the boundaries set for them, were completely unable to return within the boundaries on their own, and they were ignorant of their self-created danger.

Fed, safe, secure, and kept—yet these sheep did their own thing. How foolish! Sadly, we too are that foolish. "All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way." (Isaiah 53:6)

Christian artwork often portrays sheep peacefully grazing in rich pastures, calm and serene (Psalm 23). It is less common for artists to capture the dangerous reality for sheep without a shepherd—a wolf stalking its frightened prey, a lion ready to pounce upon a helpless lamb, or a bear bounding toward a witless flock. God, Who describes us as sheep, also describes our enemy as this kind of predator. "Your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8)

Because a sheep has no noteworthy strength of its own and tends to wander into trouble, it needs a shepherd. The shepherd needs to be strong enough to defeat the enemy and protect the sheep.

Jesus is that strong warrior-shepherd for us. "Behold, the Lord God shall come with a strong hand, And His arm shall rule for Him." (Isaiah 40:10) Our Savior-Shepherd is strong enough to defend us against "principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this age, spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12) He had the strength and endurance to bear the sins of the wandering sheep. "Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. . . . The Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:4,6) "What punishment so strange is suffered yonder! The Shepherd dies for sheep who loved to wander!" (TLH 143:4)

Jesus is our strong and mighty Savior in the battle, and He is also tender, nurturing, merciful, and kind. "He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young." (Isaiah 40:11)

Jesus has defeated our predators so we don't need to run in fear of death. Rather, we run with our Savior away from temptation and into His loving arms. Having died for our sins, Jesus is our living Savior Who calls us to His side, carries us, loves us, forgives us, hears our prayers, calms and comforts us, provides for us, and promises, "I give [you] eternal life, and [you] shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch [you] out of My hand." (John 10:28)

This is the Shepherd Who cares for us! Gone is the fear of the enemy. Gone is the danger. Gone is our condemnation, because He is strong! Tender is His embrace. Tender is His care. Tender is His nurturing of our souls.

Our strong and tender Shepherd is indeed very good.

			I am Jesus' little lamb, 
			Ever glad at heart I am;
			For my Shepherd gently guides me,
			Knows my need and well provides me,
			Loves me every day the same, 
			Even calls me by my name. (TLH 648:1)
			

Wayne Eichstadt is pastor of Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Spokane Valley, Washington, and serves as Secretary of the CLC.