Understanding your sheepness

"Without knowledge of self, there is no knowledge of God."  (John Calvin, opening passage of The Institutes)

"When [Jesus] went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.  And he began to teach them many things." (Mark 6:34)

"I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." (Jesus - John 10:11)

If you don't know that you are a sheep, then you will never feel the need for a shepherd.  And thus, the gospel is lost on you.