King’s Kids A Featurette of Glad Tidings - A Non-Denominational Christian Newspaper 8 GLAD TIDINGS JUNE 2026 The Shepherd and the Sheep In Eastern countries, the shepherd does not drive his flock before him, as our shepherds do. He goes before his sheep and they follow him. The Eastern shepherd knows each one of his sheep, sometimes even by name. They know his voice and his peculiar whistle. If two or more flocks get mixed up-at the watering place, for example-the shepherd has only to make his own special sound or whistle and the sheep sort themselves out. If a stranger were to call to them, they would pay no attention to him, " for they know not the voice of strangers”. During the day, the shepherd leads his flock to where they may find green pastures, and pools of clean, cool water. Sometimes there are enemies lurking about in the form of poisonous snakes or wild beasts. The shepherd kills the snakes, or stops up their holes, and drives the wild beasts away. Often he has to lead the sheep through dangerous-looking valleys where the sheep are apt to slip down. The shepherd keeps them safe with his rod and staff. The good shepherd searches for his lost sheep. Towards evening, the shepherd leads the flock home. Sometimes he may have to carry a lame sheep across his shoulder, or a young lamb in his arms. When night comes, he gathers his sheep into a fold, which may be a large· cave, or a small stone enclosure. He counts the sheep as they go into the fold to see if any are missing. As he counts them, he looks them over very thoroughly to see if any are hurt in any way, and rubs oil over the sore places. When all the sheep are folded, the shepherd lies down at the entrance so that no sheep can get out, and no wild animal can get in without his knowing it. He is the door. So you see how in a land like Palestine there is a closer bond between the shepherd and the sheep than there is in this country. The care of the shepherd for his sheep reminded some of the poets and prophets of Israel of God's care for His people. The twenty-third psalm, for example, tells of God's shepherd-care. The Lord is my shepherd: I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he Ieadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Now, God's love for us is seen best of all in His Son, our Saviour, and Jesus spoke of Himself as the Good Shepherd. Jesus said that all who really loved God would love Him, too. They would know His voice, for He would be no stranger, but the true Shepherd of their souls. And because they knew His voice as the true voice of God they would follow Him. They would gladly do as He told them, and He would care for them, and help them on their journey through life. Because He was the Good Shepherd, Jesus said He would lay down His life for the sheep. For the greatest enemy of the sheep was the Evil One who always tried to destroy the sheep by making them stray into the ways of sin. Jesus died on the Cross to destroy the works of the Evil One. Jesus said, too, " And other sheep I have which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice; and there shall be one flock, and one shepherd." That is coming true to-day. All over the world, men and women, boys and girls of every nation under the sun are hearing the voice of the Good Shepherd, and following Him. All barriers are being broken down; they are all coming into the one fold, and all love one another because they all love the Good Shepherd. u Description Jesus is The Good Shepherd who leaves the 99 to find the 1 lost sheep. Can you find all the sheep in this word search puzzle?
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