The Good Shepherd

The Good Shepherd
Then Moses spoke to the Lord, saying, “Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, who may go out before them and go in before them, who may lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the Lord may not be like sheep which have no shepherd.” —Numbers 27: 15-17
God has just declared to Moses that his leadership is over and he will not be able to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land.
Moses knew that sheep without a shepherd would scatter. They would wander away from the herd and starve, or be devoured by wolves. Moses, who was a true shepherd, loved these people that he led through the wilderness for the last forty years.
There is a big difference between a shepherd and a hireling. The hireling is not all that concerned about the sheep. He will run from the danger rather than stay and defend the sheep. But a true shepherd has a heart for the sheep.
** Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep” (John 10: 11).
Jesus also said that His sheep would hear His voice and follow, but they would not follow a stranger. Someone can try to imitate the shepherd’s call, but the sheep will not even look up. They know the whistle or the call of their shepherd.
How glorious to have heard the call of our Good Shepherd and to have followed!
Father, how grateful we are that Jesus Christ is our Shepherd who watches over His flock, who cares for His own, who gave His life for the sheep. Thank You for leading us on the right path. Amen.
PS Where is God calling YOU to be a Shepherd and not just a hireling? Do you know the difference?