Recently I attended a local sheep fair. In my small farming town in the west of Ireland, livestock are a vital part of life here.
A group of sheep had been corralled into a pen. The poor dears trotted back and forth, most bleating in confusion and fear. The seemed to be shouting, “Where should we go? What is happening? I don’t like this!!“ This continued for about 10 minutes.
Then, it was time for the judging to determine the best sheep. All the farmers whose sheep were in the pen entered the area and immediately went to their own animal. They all looked the same to me, but they all knew their own.
As they each found their sheep, they knelt on one knee beside the frightened animal. Instantly the sheep quieted. Some of the farmers put an arm over their sheep’s back. Some stroked under the sheep’s chin, settling it even more. One farmer spoke softly into his sheep’s ear. The pen was now quiet.
My first thought, when the sheep were all running around crazily was “Seeing the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and downcast, like sheep without a shepherd.” Matt. 9:36 NASB.
Normally sheep are quite docile, but it doesn’t take much for them to become frightened and frenzied. But it was a beautiful sight when the farmers came to their sheep, when they held them close, and gently stroked them or whispered to them. Then every sheep was calm.
You probably don’t need me to draw the analogy. We can be just like the frightened sheep at times. But what a good Shepherd we have! He makes His presence known, and holds us close. He whispers His. Word to us, bringing us peace.
Three fine sheep won ribbons that sunny morning. But I got the best prize. I was reminded that Jesus holds me, comforts me, and whispers His word to me, just when I need it.