THE INSTINCT OF THE SHEEP

My sheep hear My voice and I know them and they follow Me (John 10:27) 

Near the village of Gevas in eastern Turkey, while the shepherds were having breakfast, one of their sheep fell off a fourteen-meter-high cliff and died. Then, while the shepherds were still stunned, the other sheep jumped in. There were 1,500 sheep in total who thoughtlessly threw themselves into the abyss. Fortunately, the 1,000 sheep that jumped later survived because they were supported by piles of fleece from the sheep that jumped first. According to The Washington Post, 450 sheep died. 

The Bible often likens humans to sheep (Psalm 100: 3; Isaiah 53: 6; Matthew 9:36). Our attention is easily distracted and we are vulnerable to group influence, so we prefer to follow the crowd than the wisdom of the Shepherd. 

I am happy that the Bible also describes sheep in a positive light. Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd.... My sheep hear my voice, and I know them and they follow me" (John 10:14,27). 

So, the big question for us is: Who are we following? Others? Selfish shepherds? Or the voice and direction of the Good Shepherd? 

Our challenge is to avoid the mistake of the sheep blindly following the other sheep toward the cliff. We must ask ourselves daily: Am I listening to the voice of the Good Shepherd? Am I following Him? --MRD

Redeemer, as a shepherd You lead us,
In Your care we are guarded;
In the pasture you fill us,
the flock of your pasture. --Thrupp

FOLLOW CHRIST, NOT THE PEOPLE 

*) Take from Daily Meditation