Last week we began to think about the image of the Church as God’s flock by examining Jesus’ role as the Shepherd of the flock. This week we continue with this image by thinking about believers as sheep, or members of the flock.
We have noted previously that the disciples whom Jesus chose to be with Him were instrumental in establishing the foundation of the Church. On one occasion Jesus spoke directly to the Twelve using the imagery of a flock, saying, “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom” (Luke 12:32).
The Old Testament references the people of God as “the sheep of His pasture” (Ps. 100:3). God’s care for the generation of His people whom Moses and Aaron led out of Egypt forms how the Psalmist encouraged his generation to follow God while confessing their faith. In Psalm 77:20 the author writes, “You led Your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.” The prophet Isaiah picked up this image with the promise, “The Lord God comes with might, and His arm rules for Him; behold, His reward is with Him, and His recompense before Him. He will tend His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in His arm; He will carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young” (Isa. 40:10–11). The New Testament draws upon the imagery of God’s flock from the solidly rooted metaphor in the Old Testament.
Remain alert
There are several possible truths to be gleaned from the thought of being sheep in God’s flock and two of them will claim our attention this week. First as God’s flock we must always remain alert to the possibility of what Jesus warned against, namely, “false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (Matt. 7:15). God’s flock must always be on guard against false teachers who espouse error. The apostle Paul cautioned the Ephesian elders about this danger. “I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things to draw away the disciples after them” (Acts 20:29–30). False teaching can come from either of two directions — it can come into the Church from the outside or it can arise from within the flock.
Know His voice
The second truth might be stated as a practical directive: Know the voice of the Good Shepherd. Jesus declared that His sheep recognize His voice, but not that of the stranger (John 10:4–5). We have two basic strategies we could adopt. We could set ourselves to study all false religions and get acquainted with all perversions of biblical truth. In doing so, theoretically, we would be equipped to identify any error that might seek to infiltrate the flock. On the other hand we could choose the strategy of listening ever so closely to the voice of the true Shepherd so that we know what truth sounds like.
Not only would this allow us to stay attuned to Christ but it would enable us to filter out any teaching that doesn’t ring true to His revelation in the Bible.
The strategy of knowing about all heresies would leave us with minimal edification, since we would have amassed doctrinal errors. But knowing God’s truth in Christ will fit us for life now and in heaven to come.
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