The Shepherd Connection
Some have asked why I have spent two years filming shepherds. The answer is that the Bible is full of them! Abraham lived as a shepherd in the land of Canaan. When Abraham’s grandson, Jacob, moved his sons and their families to Egypt, they were asked by Pharaoh, “What is your occupation?” “Your servants are shepherds,” they replied to Pharaoh, “just as our fathers were.” Genesis 47:3.
Centuries later the shepherd Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt and the shepherd Joshua led them into the land of promise, where God anointed the shepherd boy, David, to be their king. Almost 300 years later the prophet Micah predicted that “one who would be ruler over Israel” would be born in Bethlehem, and “He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD!” Micah 5:2,4. Then after another 700 years passed, the angels announced the birth of Jesus–not to the political or religious leaders, but to shepherds tending their flocks in the fields near Bethlehem.
“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:11
My family and I rejoice and celebrate with you the birth of our Savior, Immanuel! God with us, seeking us for His own… “For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and overseer of your souls.” 1 Peter 2:25. Today’s video short explains, in shepherding terms, why God was born a man in Bethlehem – he came to save us!
God’s richest blessings to you,
Joel
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Thank u once again this has touch my heart this is what itsall about
What a great video to wake to on Christmas! The imagery that Jesus used to explain his relationship to us was so perfect for his audience then and still is for us today, but seeing these videos gives us the visual images needed to provide fuller meaning. This video on the lost sheep so simply portrays just how Jesus comes to us. Thank you!
This is beautiful. Blessings to you Joel for also being a shepherd for God’s lost and strayed. Merry Christmas. 12/25/12
I could put myself into the role of the lost sheep as I watched “Jesus” coming to find just me. I pray that thousands of others will see the same and hear His voice.
Wow I was lost and my Shepherd came after me just like this. He found me and now I follow him. Praise God. I pray the good shepherd will now find my loved ones and that they will follow him forever.
Hey Joel,
Thanks, this is excellent! How this makes the scriptures come to life!
Chip
Joel,
Excellent stuff and thank you for sharing. What a powerful visual of the love of Jesus Christ for lost sinners such as me. John 10 actually picks up Ezekiel 34, the text that you use in the film, and expounds its fulfillment in Christ. I’m assuming that you filmed this sequence in the Judaean wilderness? Keep up the fantastic work in service of the Church.
Joel, I love this. It shows such a picture of how we do nothing to save ourselves. He simply comes after us when we have done all the wrong things. That’s sure my story……..
Joel,
Our faithful brother in Israel. Thank you for this powerful reminder of our desperate need of a loving Shepherd. I thought for sure that once the lamb heard the voice of the Shepherd it would run to him. But no, the lamb needed to be touched by the Shepherd and received in love. Then the lamb was able to follow. How wonderful it is that we are captured by the love of our Shepherd, Jesus!
Bless you and your “team” in Israel. Love you all, Ron and Suzy
I was expecting the sheep to run to him when the sheep saw him, but that did not happen. The shepherd had to come all the way up to the sheep. Interesting.
It reminds me of John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible on John 6:44:
“…because they had neither power nor will of themselves; being dead in trespasses and sins, and impotent to everything that is spiritual: and whilst men are in a state of unregeneracy, blindness, and darkness, they see no need of coming to Christ, nor anything in him worth coming for; they are prejudiced against him, and their hearts are set on other things; and besides, coming to Christ and believing in Christ being the same thing, it is certain faith is not of a man’s self, it is the gift of God, and the operation of his Spirit; and therefore efficacious grace must be exerted to enable a soul to come to Christ.”
And, regarding the same verse:
“draws. People do not come to Christ strictly on their own initiative; the Father draws them.” (The NIV Study Bible footnote.)
This video is so beautiful. God bless you for the work you do! Christ’s blessings on your wonderful ministry,
Teej