1 Peter 2:25

Here, Peter glances in the rear view to Isaiah 53: “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.” With 1 Peter 2:25, the apostle reminds us of Jesus’ loving sacrifice on the cross; the sacrifice that bridged the chasm between our fallen souls and God’s loving presence for those who know Jesus as their Shepherd.

The word of God is filled with comparisons that identify we humans as sheep and the Lord as the one true Shepherd. Why sheep? Sheep are helpless without a shepherd. Sheep are prone to “follow the leader,” regardless of how foolish that leader may be. Sheep are likely to wander. A sheep’s only chance of survival is to remain under the care of a dedicated shepherd.

It is amazing to know that the Lord is not only our compassionate Shepherd, but that He has gladly taken on the responsibility as the Overseer of our souls. I am grateful that He loves His sheep so very much, and I’ll bet you are, too.

Jeff Deal