Read it: Acts 2:42 NLT, Matthew 9:36 NLT
Live it:
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
While a group of people was touring the Holy Land, the guide would point out that shepherds would walk ahead of the flock to lead them. No sooner than the guide finished his commentary, he observed a man driving a flock of sheep. Intrigued, they stopped the man and asked why he was driving the flock and not leading it as most shepherds did. The man responded, “Oh I’m not a shepherd; I’m a butcher.” I can imagine how confused and helpless that flock of sheep must have felt.
Due to my lack of experience with animals that “are dumber than a chicken” (a quote from my father), I googled “Runaway Sheep” and found the following: “Not known for being deep thinkers, they are usually content eating grass and following the shepherd. But sometimes, they get so busy grazing that they don’t realize their flock has moved. In these cases, the sheep were distracted and lost sight of what was most important.”
Isn’t that an apt description of Christians who don’t necessarily “run away” from church but get distracted by all the attractions of the world around them? Jesus told the Parable of the Sower (Matt. 13, Mk 4 & Luke 8) where the tares (weeds) choked out the good seed.
Sometimes we as Christians can become so content grazing on “good grass” that we get distracted and lose sight of where the Shepherd is leading us. We need to stay in fellowship with the Shepherd and each other.
Ps. Gary