The Good Shephard

I had the privilege of being born and raised in a very small town called Manila. There are only a couple hundred people there and it is located at the foot of the Uintah mountains right by the Flaming Gorge. It is a ranching community. Some of my great friends there raise sheep. I don't think I'd have the time and patience required to do it, but they did very well and were very diligent in watching their sheep and taking care of their needs. I am pretty sure they even had names for all of their sheep even though there were so many. I remember being with my friends who had the sheep and them recieving a phonecall saying something had gone wrong at their ranch. They dropped what they were doing and went straight out to the ranch to help them even though it was about a 30 minute drive. I know they did this many times. They loved their sheep and took great care of them. If one of them ran away then they would find it. If one of their sheep was cold then then they would give it warmth even if that meant it coming inside of their own home.

John 10: 11,14, 15 
 I am the good shephard: the good shephard giveth his life for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Psalms 23:1,2,3

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

I love these scriptures. They bring me comfort and peace. Just as my good friends from Manila, Utah, cared for their sheep, Jesus Christ cares for us. He always has time for us. He will never leave us. Sometimes we make bad choices that may lead us away from him for a time, but he is always searching and inviting us back. No sheep is too lost. None are too far gone. He will heal us. He will bring us warmth and comfort when there are no others around. Jesus Christ is the good shepherd. He knows us by name. He's given us so much. He's given us guidance, hope for the future, life after death and happiness. He's given us his life. His birth about 2000 years ago is the greatest gift our Father in Heaven has ever given us. May we follow our shepherd.