Of All Animals, Why Sheep?

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ (Luke 15:3-6)

In the Parable of the Lost Sheep, the shepherd owned a hundred sheep and was unhappy when his evening count showed only 99. He went out into the night and searched until he found the straying animal. A sheep has economic value to the shepherd. But more than that, the oriental shepherd was personally attached to each animal in his fold. The parable shows us how God feels about people. He loves them. He loves them collectively. He loves them individually. “The Parable off the Lost Sheep” may be more accurately called “The Parable of the Seeking Shepherd.”

Of all animals, why sheep?

Our Lord described his people as sheep. He labeled himself as the Good Shepherd who gave his life to save the sheep. Have you ever wondered why, of all animals, we are called sheep? Aren’t there so many other strong, beautiful, and majestic animals in the world? Bears are big and strong. Lions are fearless and brave. Doves are peaceful and meek. Deer are swift and graceful. Horses have strength and speed. So why are we called sheep?

Sheep are basically helpless creatures who cannot survive long without a shepherd. They are rather stupid in comparison to other animals. Sheep are essentially dumb animals and hard to train. They do not have good eyesight, nor do they hear well. They are very slow animals that cannot escape predators. They are helpless creatures. They have no strong jaws and teeth, no horns or claws, and no strength to fight other animals that prey upon them. Sheep have a natural tendency to wander off and get lost. When sheep go astray, they are in danger of getting lost, being attacked, or even dying from falling off cliffs. When we are compared to sheep, it is not so flattering, but it is right on target. Sheep are totally dependent on the shepherd.

The Shepherd and His Sheep

A shepherd also carries a ‘shepherd’s crook,’ which is basically a stick. This stick is used for multiple things, including correcting the sheep’s behavior and fighting off predators that attack the sheep. When correcting the sheep, the shepherd acts out of love and what’s best for the sheep. He knows each sheep by name. He knows which sheep is weak and when it needs to be carried by him. He knows which sheep has the tendency to go its own way and get lost. The shepherd must keep a constant eye on such sheep who have the tendency to stray. The sheep too recognized the smell and the voice of the shepherd. They will respond only to the voice of the shepherd. They will pay no attention and will not move an inch if someone else calls them.