Sheep without a Shepherd

"At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd." Matthew 9:36

One of my fears is getting lost. I want to make sure I am in the right direction going to the place I want to be. Even when using my Global Positioning System (GPS) navigator, I tend to have this fear of losing direction. But when I missed a turn, a ramp or a road, the navigator quickly recalculates to put me back on the right path.

Jesus was saddened as he saw the flock of people like sheep without a shepherd. He saw them as people who are scattered and abandoned. He viewed them as people without direction. He gazed upon them as people who are lost. He watched them as people trying to find their way but cannot locate the right path. As a Shepherd, Jesus offers to lead the way for us, His people, to be on track towards the place meant for us - Heaven.

The sheep's fear is to be away from the shepherd since the sheep's sense of direction alone is the shepherd. Our lives will be surely in dire straits without the leading of our Shepherd who is Jesus. He alone is the light for our path. As our Shepherd, He gives assurance in our walk on this earth that He will never ever abandon us that He will guide us towards the place where we are destined to be. Even when we walk away from the flock, our Shepherd quickly makes sure that the lost sheep is found and diverted to the right direction.

Lord Jesus, our Shepherd, give us the grace to fix our eyes on you that we may not be lost and that we may not be like sheep without a shepherd. We thank you for your love and mercy as your heart is moved with pity and love when You look upon Your lost sheep. Father, when we are lost, bring us back to the right path and direction. By your love, allow us to hold on to Your word and presence that we may steadfast in following you as our Shepherd. And by your grace, empower us to bring other sheep to Your flock that we may join You in the place You and Your Father have prepared for us to dwell in eternity. In Jesus' Name, Amen.