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“I am the good Shepherd, and know My sheep, and am known of Mine” (John 10:14).
On a farm not too far from our home, there is a large flock of sheep grazing in a pasture. However, there are also two donkeys grazing in the same field as the sheep. As far as I know, those donkeys are not used for work on the farm, nor have I ever seen anyone riding them. Why would the farmer put them in the pasture with the sheep?
Even though they do not know it, those donkeys are there to protect the sheep. As in many areas where we live, the pasture is surrounded by trees and woods. It would be easy for coyotes or even wolves to come out and harm or kill the sheep. But when they see those donkeys, the coyotes and wolves stay away.
However, those donkeys are not like a shepherd. They do not care for the sheep, and if a sheep were killed by a coyote, the donkeys would not care. But a true shepherd knows his sheep, and tenderly cares for them. He also defends them, not just by being there, but by going after any animal or person who would harm the sheep.
The Lord Jesus is our Shepherd, and He is a true Shepherd. He knows us, and we know Him. When we are with Him, we are safe.
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