“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t be afraid, little flock.
For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.”
Luke 12:31-32
These words, spoken by Jesus, are meant to encourage us. But at first glance, being compared to sheep may feel a bit more like an insult. After all, sheep are not exactly known for their intelligence. But when Jesus compares us to sheep, He’s showing us His heart, and He’s defining our relationship to Him. He is our Shepherd, and we are His sheep. He is telling us there’s no need to fear, because He is with us: guarding, watching over us, and leading us. And the more we hear and recognize His voice, the better off we, His little flock, will be.
Our culture certainly doesn’t encourage us to be sheep. Instead, it teaches us all to be kings and queens of our very own kingdoms. But that is why Jesus offered this beautiful, grace-filled truth. He lovingly and gently told His disciples that He didn’t come to bless their “kingdoms” or their “flocks”, but to invite them into His. He didn’t put on skin and conquer death for their status, their wealth, or their titles. He invited them to experience the only Kingdom that matters, the only Kingdom that lasts. No matter how much we all strive for our own self-centered kingdoms, no matter what we achieve according to the world’s standards, without Jesus, there is no satisfaction. There is no glory. There is no peace. There is no life!
If you think about it, it’s really a beautiful compliment to be called a sheep. After all, Jesus Himself, is the Lamb of God! You will look more and more like Him as you grow in your faith, and you will hear the sweet voice of your Shepherd when you seek Him above everything else. Jesus will only lead you like a Shepherd if you are willing to follow like a sheep. That means taking your eyes off of your problems and your own personal kingdom and fixing your eyes on Him. Fear not, little sheep, your Great Shepherd is in control, and it gives Him great happiness to give you the Kingdom! You are loved!