The animal which appears far and away the most frequently in Scripture (nearly 400 times!) is the humble sheep. Beyond being an integral part of ancient Israel’s economy, sheep and shepherds became fundamental images by which the people understood their relationship with God. As a part of the Israelite sacrificial system, sheep also played a crucial role in Israel’s struggle with sin and redemption. It is no surprise, then, that Jesus and his followers continued building on this thread to help us understand not just the character of our savior (the “good shepherd”), but his personal sacrifice for the sake of our redemption (the “lamb of God”).
