We are only sheep

I remember my friend Phil telling me how much he loved how the Bible constantly compares people to sheep. His reason? Sheep are stupid! We are often stupid!! Phil said he wanted to write a book about it... I think maybe one day I actually will!

Last night I was reading John 10 where Jesus talks about sheep and shepherds. Verses 11-13 say this:
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep."

I remember last year when a barn full of sheep caught on fire in Northfield, MN. One of the shepherd's ran into the burning building to save as many sheep as he could from the fire, because they are not smart animals and do need someone to lead them from danger. He stayed in the barn until the fire marshall made him leave. The man's reason for risking his life? "I'm a shepherd, it's what I do."

Just as this shepherd was willing to risk his life for his flock, Jesus laid down his life for his.