A popular TV evangelist tells of a time when he took a group of his followers on a guided tour of the Holy Lands. He was their guide and teacher for this inspiring trip. While there he wanted them to be on the look out for sheep being led by a shepherd. Over and over he instructed them that a shepherd never drives the sheep from behind, like cattle. The shepherd always walks in front, leading his sheep.
As the tour bus came around a curve they looked out the window and saw a herd of sheep being driven by a man in the back of the herd. The group saw this and questioned the pastor about his teaching. The pastor was clearly flustered and a bit confused. Not to be undone, he asked the bus driver to stop the bus. He got off the bus, went over and had an extended conversation with the man driving the sheep, instead of leading them.
He returned to the bus with a triumphant smile on his face as he announced to the tourists, “He’s not the shepherd. He’s the butcher!”
Are you being led by the Shepherd, or driven by the butcher?
The butcher will push, prod, drive you away from the way God would have you go. The butcher will take your life away, leaving you exhausted, empty and hollow inside.
The Shepherd will lead you with love and gentleness in the way for which God created you. The Shepherd's way will lead you to fullness of life, grace and mercy.
Jesus is our Good Shepherd.
And, not only does he lead us in a good way, but he also comes back to retrieve us from the butcher.
Jesus, Good Shepherd, lead me away from the butcher and along the way to life with you. Amen.
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