Dear Ones:
Perhaps there is no clearer picture of what the believer is, facing the enemy of our souls, than that of the “sheep of the Shepherd” versus the wolves that would destroy it. In John 10:12, the Lord Jesus speaks of the coming of the wolf, whose sole intent is to catch the sheep, and scatter them. He even goes so far as to declare that there are people who portray themselves as sheep, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. (Matt. 7:15) If we have any doubt as to this relationship between the sheep and wolves, listen to what Jesus says further: “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” (Matt. 10:16) What is the Lord Jesus seeking to convey to us? What is it that we must grasp in order for the Lord to BE what He desires to be to us?
The first thing one notices about a sheep, even without considering the wolf, is that it is helpless, and is absolutely in need of a shepherd. The Shepherd alone is its defense and the provider. The second thing to grasp with regard to the wolf is that the sheep is completely at the mercy of the wolf, which by nature, has but one intent, to destroy the sheep. And yet, Jesus sends us out in the midst of wolves. Is this not cruel and unjust?
When we see Joshua the high priest standing before “the Angel of the Lord,” we find that Satan is there also, accusing him before God. Joshua’s clothes are filthy, the very declaration of unconfessed, unforgiven sin. This “wolf,” Satan, has but one goal…to steal, kill, and to destroy. And here his method is to lawfully use “sin” to accuse, and condemn, Joshua before God. Now, remember, Joshua may be a high priest, but he is still a sinner…still a sheep. What is God’s remedy? He removes all of his iniquity, forgives the entirety of his sin, and calls for the dirty clothes to be removed, and replaced by clean ones. (Zech. 3) All of a sudden, Satan has NO MORE BASIS for accusing him of sin, for it is forgiven, removed, gone…and this by the act of God. It is so very important for the believer to grasp that “…there is therefore now NO condemnation to them which are in Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 8:1) Satan condemns; the Spirit of God convicts. There is a massive difference. The first action is for the purpose of destroying, removing all hope. The second is to remove any and every obstacle in the life which would hinder the manifest blessing of God in the heart, and upon the life.
If there is any doubt with regard to Who this Shepherd of the sheep is, and what his intent and motivation is, let us remember that the Lord Jesus says that the true Shepherd does NOT flee when the wolf cometh. On the contrary, He faces him on behalf of the sheep. (Jn. 10:12-14) In a final illustration, the Lord Jesus speaks of Himself leaving “ninety and nine” sheep which are safely in the fold, “…goeth into the mountains (…into the wilderness)” (Matt. 18:12), and seeks the one sheep that is lost, has gone astray.
This picture reveals to us the intent, the heart of the Shepherd. He is willing to face the harsh elements, and the enemies (the wolves), in order to find, protect, and provide for the sheep that is lost. This Great Shepherd is our victory, power, protector, and provider. He has conquered the enemy of our souls, and thus calls us, to “submit ourselves to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from us. (James 4:7)” Christ’s victory is ours, but it is known by those who live according to His ways, His thoughts.
Dear Father, give us to know what we are, and Who thy Son is…strengthening our hearts to submit to Him wholly, depend upon Him fully, and know His victory over the “wolves” that confront us. How we thank Thee that Christ IS our Great Shepherd. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad