Why we need the sheep identity

A message for all who declare Jesus as Lord

“Now may the God of peace— who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood— may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.”

Hebrews 13:20-21 NLT

Being sheep:

There is a clear message in scripture that those who know God will respond to Him as sheep respond to their shepherd - following his leading and his voice. Those who do not know God, who fail to recognise and obey His voice are compared to goats. The message compares the characteristics of these two animals who are often herded together but are nonetheless distinctly different. Sheep are more content to pasture together and remain together, being led, and directed. Goats on the other hand are more independent, foraging high and low, perhaps at times more aggressive and certainly more inquisitive. The tendency for sheep to be more docile and content has led some to assume that sheep must be rather unintelligent animals, even stupid. This is not true. As farm animals go, sheep are quite intelligent and have amazing memories, being able to recognise the faces of people over time, and of course they recognise the shepherd’s voice above all others. In the natural, there is nothing wrong with goats, but in the spiritual context, they represent the person who is stubbornly independent, determined to assert the self-life, and who desires to be measured by their own works, convinced that their efforts justify them.

Why covenant marriage needs two sheep:

All those in Christ really need to be sheep. For Christian couples in a covenant relationship, it is important that both spouses follow like sheep together in their walk. In this lifelong union you will struggle as goats. You are united as one and you must carry the same identity. You will succeed in fulfilling you vows to overflow when you submit to each other, and to Christ who leads you into your destiny, because as sheep you are not self-sufficient, and Jesus is your shepherd.

Yahweh is my best friend and my shepherd. I always have more than enough.
He offers a resting place for me in his luxurious love. His tracks take me to an oasis of peace near the quiet brook of bliss. That’s where he restores and revives my life. He opens before me the right path and leads me along in his footsteps of righteousness so that I can bring honor to his name.

Psalms 23:1-3 TPT

Thank you for reading our short message today. May the Lord bless you and your house.

Steve and Khanya