In 2021, I found myself partially in a pandemic, serving at a church of a few thousand people. It was a wonderful time for ministry and preaching. And who could forget those pandemic buzzwords? One of my favorites was “herd immunity.” Just to refresh your memory: herd immunity is when enough people are immune to an infectious disease, so it has trouble spreading. I guess it’s like having a force field made of people. As much as I loved explaining that to church members, it got me thinking. What would Jesus say about herd immunity?

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In that same season, I found myself working with our Director of Missions, piloting a program for first graders. Each week, I’d show up with a Pete the Cat story, and trust me, there’s no better preparation for preaching than explaining why Pete refuses to wear his shoes properly. But then, a friend of mine read Woolbur by Leslie Helakoski—a delightful story about a little sheep who just doesn’t fit in with the flock. Woolbur doesn’t follow rules. He’s joyful, creative, and does everything his own way.

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I heard this story, and the next time I got up to preach, I couldn’t resist. I titled my sermon Heard Immunity: The Case for the One True Shepherd. Yes, I changed “herd” to “heard”—pun absolutely intended. I dug into Matthew 25:31-46, one of Jesus' parables about sheep and goats. Spoiler: You do not want to be the goat. Jesus is all about the sheep—those who listen and follow. So today, let's meditate on this idea of "heard immunity" and explore three takeaways:

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🐑Jesus values the one who strays.

🐑Jesus values the one who stays.

🐑The joy in being found.

Jesus Values the One Who Strays​

Woolbur’s story and Jesus’ parable both offer a deep truth about God's love: even when we don’t fit in, when we march to our own beat (or prance, like Woolbur), we are still deeply loved by God.

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At this point, it's time for some biblical vocabulary. The Greek word used for "sheep" in Matthew is probaton, which occurs 39 times in Scripture, and it means “lamb,” a creature known for being submissive. Now, “goat,” on the other hand, comes from the word eriphon. Fun fact: it only appears once in the Bible. Goats are symbolic of hardened hearts, those who ignore God's calling. Jesus' parable draws a clear line between the sheep who follow and the goats who, well, don't.

So, have you contributed to the “heard” immunity of the flock? Are you the wandering sheep, feeling like maybe you don't quite fit? Well, good news! Jesus isn’t telling us that the strays should be shunned. Instead, He’s saying they should be loved and brought back. Woolbur might be off doing his own thing, but the Shepherd’s love is big enough to meet him wherever he is—whether he’s spinning wool backwards or prancing to his own rhythm.

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Jesus Values the One Who Stays​

Let’s talk about the sheep who stay. You see, herds of animals often adopt a hierarchy—not out of pettiness, like a church bake sale competition—but based on who’s strong, who’s leading, and who needs protection. There's always a visionary out front, the quicker, younger sheep following closely. Then there are the sheep who have more life experience—the pregnant, the older, the ones with stories to tell. And at the back, guarding the flock from sneak attacks, are the strongest few.

In Jesus’ parable, those who stay with the flock are called “blessed.” The Greek word for “inherit” here is kleronomeo, which appears 18 times and means to inherit by lot. In short, those who tend the flock are heirs of God's kingdom. It's like winning a divine lottery without ever having to buy a ticket.

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Staying with the flock doesn’t mean we’re boring or rigid. It means we’re positioned to experience the Shepherd's protection and care. Being found isn’t hard when you’re already close to the One doing the looking! And let’s face it, I’m sure we all know that one person who’s in the same pew every Sunday—Jesus doesn’t have to search far to bless them.

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The Joy in Being Found

Remember Woolbur? He’s not like the other sheep. While they spin their wool one way, he’s doing the Woolbur twist. His parents are concerned, but Woolbur insists, “It’s fun to do things differently!” Now, I don’t know about you, but I’d pay good money to see a real sheep say that. (Also, I’m fairly certain Pete the Cat and Woolbur would get along splendidly.)

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But here's the thing: being different doesn’t make you lost. In fact, God delights in our quirks and differences. Woolbur’s uniqueness isn’t condemned; it’s celebrated! God’s love for us doesn’t come with strings attached or performance reviews. Whether you’re the sheep who prances to a different beat or the one leading the flock, God knows you, sees you, and pursues you.

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This brings us to the idea of “being found.” Jesus doesn’t just search for the strays reluctantly—He rejoices when they’re found! Have you ever lost your phone, only to find it in the fridge? That’s the kind of joy we’re talking about here. When we come back to God, there’s no awkward silence, just celebration. God’s grace covers all our wanderings, wrong turns, and Woolbur moments.

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Conclusion

So, where does that leave us? Whether you feel like you’re the quirky Woolbur, the steady sheep in the flock, or even the stubborn goat, the message is clear: God’s love is big enough for all of us. There’s joy in being found, value in staying, and grace for the strays. The parable of the sheep and goats, Woolbur’s story, and this idea of “heard immunity” remind us that our individuality is not something to be hidden but something God uses to bring us closer to Him and to one another.

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Best,

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Micah Blanks