A flock without a shepherd... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

When he (Jesus) saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.
Matthew 9:36

A flock without a shepherd is in a very sorry state. How can they find their way to good, secure pastures? Moreover, a flock of sheep without its shepherd has no protection against wild animals.

Jesus saw people wandering around like sheep without a shepherd. They had no sense of direction and no protection. He said, as it were, their actual trouble consisted in their not finding their way to God. Many hoped to profit from the wool, the milk and the meat the sheep provided, but no-one guided them to good pastureland. Similarly, people did not find the food needed for the inner man, so that they went through life joyfully and confidently. They were bleeding, so to speak, from many insidious wounds caused by their environment.

What should we do in this situation? Go to Jesus Christ and tell Him our need in prayer! We can speak with Him freely without glossing over or hiding things. What will he do? He will listen and show us through His Word how He, as the Good Shepherd, laid down His life for the sheep. He died for all who come to Him. We can rest on that in faith.

The Lord takes over the guidance for those who follow Him, going on ahead as the Good Shepherd to the "green pastures" and "still waters". He will also protect us and keep us safe from all dangers.

Whoever has Jesus as his Shepherd is secure both for his lifetime and for eternity.