The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 19 October 2026 – The Sheep Know And Follow Their Shepherd
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TOPIC – The Sheep Know And Follow Their Shepherd
READ: Luke 10:1-9
1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.
4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.
5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.
6 And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.
7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
8 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:
9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
THE MESSAGE:
Today is St Luke the Evangelist’s Day. Luke was one of the Disciples of Jesus Christ. He was a medical doctor by profession and attended to Paul in his missionary journeys. He was also the author of Luke and Acts of the Apostles. In this passage, Luke reminds us that the sheep know their shepherd very well. They listen to and recognise his voice, and that is why they follow only their shepherd. It is difficult, if not impossible for them to follow a stranger. So as sheep, we must listen to the voice of the shepherd and follow him where he leads.
The illustration is fit for the present-day Christian leaders who are likened to the shepherd.
Christian leaders are here advised to go through the gate—the due process of raising Church leaders—before they can lead others. There is also the process of officially assigning one to his/her place of assignment. The writer of Hebrews reminds us that “no one takes the honour upon himself…” (Hebrews 5:4). The shepherd should have a sincere relationship and intimacy with the sheep. He should always provide the needed leadership with the needed courage at all times. And finally, he is expected to help the sheep find good pastures.
PRAYER: Dear Jesus, make me a good Christian leader who will be like You and who will be ready to lay down my life for the sheep I lead. Amen.
