[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during September 2026]
All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53 v6 [NKJV]
As a general rule, people do not take kindly to being likened to sheep. However, there are some semblances which help to justify the description. Like sheep, we prefer to move with the crowd, we tend to repeat our mistakes and we often think the grass is greener elsewhere.
Sheep are communal animals. Solitary sheep can display symptoms of loneliness and stress.[1] They are prone to impulsive reactions when the calming influence of the flock is missing. For us, the lack of companions puts us at increased risk of sub-optimal decisions and mistimed actions.
And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.”
Genesis 2 v18 [NKJV]
How do you value and add to the community that God has placed you in?
Sheep learn to recognise their shepherd. Without the shepherd they often wander away, seeking that greener grass, and become lost and potential prey to predators. We too are prone to being led astray in the absence of the guidance offered by a spiritual leader.
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.
John 10 v27-28 [NKJV]
How do you respond to those who are our spiritual leaders?
Can you recognise their voice amidst those of rival claimants?
Sheep are often found together with goats in a common amicable herd. In many Old Testament references to the requirements for sacrifices, sheep and goats are considered as being of equal value. We too live in a society with many diverse members.
How do you relate to people who are different yet in the same community or congregation?
However, in the New Testament we see that the two animals are used to illustrate a separation, When Jesus returns he will make a distinction between those who have put their faith into action by helping people in need and those who have not.[2]
All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
Matthew 25 v32 [NIVUK]
How do you demonstrate your faith? Does it have a practical application?
In the following verses in Matthew 25 Jesus refers to food and clothing; two essentials of life which can be supplied by sheep.
No doubt all this talk about sheep is making you drowsy but surely we cannot end a reflection on this verse without considering its second part. However, since our own words would be inadequate, let us return to the words of the prophet Isaiah:
Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53 v4-5 [NIVUK]
What more can we say?
References:
[1] Some sheep info
[2] Matthew 25:40, 45
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Contributed by Steve Humphreys; © Steve Humphreys