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Matthew 9: 32-38:
A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus,
and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke.
The crowds were amazed and said,
“Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”
But the Pharisees said,
“He drives out demons by the prince of demons.”
Jesus went around to all the towns and villages,
teaching in their synagogues,
proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom,
and curing every disease and illness.
At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them
because they were troubled and abandoned,
like sheep without a shepherd.
Then he said to his disciples,
“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest.”
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“His heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36).
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Why does Jesus often refer to us as sheep?
Because sheep are defenseless.
They have no claws, no paws, no venom, and no fangs. When attacked, they have no way of defending themselves.
Their only strength lies in their closeness to the shepherd. He is their strength.
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The same is true for us.
How many times have we felt, “troubled or abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd?”
Maybe we’re going through a divorce; suffering from poor health; or feel worried about the future.
At times our mind can spin us into a hole so deep it feels like there’s no way out, like we’re “troubled and abandoned…sheep without a shepherd.”
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The Gospel reminds us to turn to Christ; any time we say his name his heart is moved with compassion.
May all who feel lost turn to the Good Shepherd who promises to defend them.
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Image credits: (1) Sheep Without a Shepherd, Jim Buchan (2) For God’s Glory Alone Ministries (3) Why Was Jesus Called the Good Shepherd, Christianity