Daily Devotional for November 23, 2019
His Sheep (Part 1)
“Can we go see the sheep?” Jamal asked eagerly when he arrived at Uncle Rob’s ranch. He was going to spend a few days with his aunt and uncle.
“Sure. We’ll do that this afternoon,” said Uncle Rob.
After lunch, Jamal and his uncle climbed into the jeep and checked on the sheep in several pastures on the ranch. “I didn’t know there were so many sheep in the world,” said Jamal as they passed a neighboring ranch. “They all look so fat and fluffy!”
“Their wool sometimes hides their real condition,” said Uncle Rob with a sigh. He motioned toward the neighbor’s flock. “The sheep in this pasture are really pretty thin. Their owner has been away for a while, and the manager doesn’t really care about the sheep. He ignores them most of the time.”
“I’ll bet your sheep are glad they belong to you,” said Jamal. “You take such good care of them. You’re a really good shepherd, Uncle Rob.”
Uncle Rob smiled at Jamal. “I hope so,” he said as they headed back home, “but I’m not the best shepherd. Do you know who is?” Jamal wrinkled his brow and shook his head. “Jesus is,” said Uncle Rob. “Working with the sheep always reminds me of Him because the Bible says He’s the Good Shepherd. I care for my sheep, but I wouldn’t die for them. But Jesus died for His sheep—us.”
“We learned about that in church,” said Jamal. “But not everybody is one of His sheep.”
“No. He died for everyone, but only those who trust Jesus as their Savior become His sheep,” said Uncle Rob. “People who don’t belong to Jesus belong to Satan. They belong to someone who doesn’t really care for them—kind of like the poor thin sheep down the road.” Uncle Rob shook his head. “Sometimes the good deeds people do can fool others and hide their sinful condition, just like the wool hides the condition of those sheep, but Jesus knows who His sheep are.” Uncle Rob looked at Jamal. “How about you, Jamal? Do you belong to Jesus?”
Jamal smiled and nodded. “Jesus saved me from sin last spring,” he said. “I put my faith in Him and now I’m one of His sheep.” Geri Walcott
How about you?
Do you belong to Jesus, the Good Shepherd? Are you one of His sheep? Or do you belong to sin and Satan? Jesus loves you and wants to take care of you. Trust Him as your Savior, and then you can depend on Him for care and help, no matter what life may bring. (To learn more, click the “Good News!” button in the right column of this page.)
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