I Made My Family Disappear

Kevin McCallister just wanted to make his family disappear. The next morning he woke up and the bossy, critical, and negative group of people were gone. He was all alone, able to do whatever he wanted. Our culture loves this story because it personifies the central belief of the American dream---you can be your own person, set your own agenda, and pursue your own dreams. And, even if a couple robbers show up, you have it in yourself to save yourself and your house. Think about it, our most known document is the Declaration of Independence. But here is the problem, this pursuit doesn't work and actually leads to loneliness, despair, and hopelessness. The Bible compares us to sheep for a reason. Left to themselves, sheep will get stuck, fall off a cliff, or get eaten by a wolf. Sheep need a shepherd. When Jesus declares His name to be "The Good Shepherd," He is connecting Himself to multiple Old Testament passages, including Psalm 23 and Micah 5,promising a future Shepherd for God's people. Not only does the Good Shepherd love, care for, and feed His sheep, but He also gives them a flock where they truly belong. And He gives us a purpose that is way bigger than ourselves. The path to an abundant and fulfilling life is found not in our independence, but in our dependence on the Good Shepherd.