Return to the Shepard

"For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." (1 Peter 2:25)

Spiritually, there is something fundamentally sheep-like about us. The bible uses the metaphor constantly. Here, Peter says that without Jesus, they were straying like sheep. What do sheep do without a shepherd? They stray without a clue.

Peter uses this as picture of what we are like without Jesus. But God intends that they return to Jesus. He, too, fits a metaphor. He is like a shepherd and overseer—but of souls, not bodies. There's the important distinction. Because we are not very sheep-like in our minds and bodies, we may think we're above this sheep metaphor business. But in God's view, spiritually, we are as needy as sheep. We need a competent shepherd. And there is only one that he offers: Jesus. If we return to him and let him be the overseer of our souls, all will be well with us.

1. Reflect on your spiritual journey. In what ways are you sheep-like and in need of a shepherd?

2. What happened once when you failed to follow Jesus your shepherd and instead ventured out on your own?

3. What does returning to the Shepherd and Overseer of your soul mean to you? How do you return to Jesus?

-- Charlie