God loves us all. He sent His son Jesus down from Heaven.To be like a Shepard of "Men". Not really meaning that we are Sheep. But like a Flock of followers. He gently guides us to protect us and teach us.

Let's use the example of a Shepard that has a real flock of sheep.

A Shepard guides to where all the sheep be well feed. We should be feed on the word of God. " The Bible "

The Shepard make sure that the sheep have enough to drink. Drinking in the "Spirit of God" The living waters!

If one sheep would stray the Shepard would go find that sheep. We are all lost at some point. The Shepard brings the sheep back for it's protection. Jesus is God's son in the flesh he came to earth to drawl us back to God.

The Shepard will bring the lost sheep back to where the others are. I take this to mean that Christians do better when we are all together. Working together and having Christian fellowship. We do better with like minded Christians. We survive better when we are together.

God loves us so much that he sent is son to be our teacher, leader and guide to protect us and lead us away from temptation and sin.

It really has nothing to do with eating sheep. Us being considered as real sheep is not what is meant that is only a metaphor.  A Shepard protects his flock. We are the flock we are under Jesus' protection.