Western Night

Tuesday night was western night at my wife's preschool. I was the guest speaker. I was supposed to be a sheepherder, although I know nothing about sheep. But I basically spoke about all the amazing sheep imagery in the Bible. We are like sheep in so many ways... we need a Shepherd to take care of us. We may think we can survive on our own, but we can't. Sheep are defenseless and when they wander away from the shepherd they are easy prey for wild animals. They are also kind of stupid. They will follow their appetites even if that leads them to eating poisonous plants. Do you see the parrallels? "We all like sheep have gone astray..." (Isaiah 53:6) The Bible also speaks of God as our Shepherd, not only in the famous Psalm that we all know, but in Ezekiel 34 and John 10 His Shepherd's heart is described with great tenderness. You should read those chapters sometime if you ever feel like God doesn't love you. "He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart." (Isaiah 40:11) Finally Jesus is described as the Lamb of God. Why? Because in ancient times lambs were sacrificed to pay for people's sins. But of course lamb blood cannot really pay for the wrongs we have done. Only our own blood... or the blood of someone who will take the punishment for us... someone who is pure and doesn't need to shed any blood for his own sins... that is who Jesus Christ is... He didn't die on the cross as an example or as a martyr or as an unjustly condemned man... he died a criminal's death because he was taking on the crimes of humanity...your crimes... mine. "He was led as a lamb to the slaughter..." (Isaiah 53:7) Did it work? Did God accept the payment? That's the beauty of Easter! Christ rose again, victorious over death and sin. That proves it right there! His salvation is sure. If you've strayed away from Him, He's looking for you... and He doesn't give up easily. I know... I've strayed many times, but he's always brought me back. Sometimes it's gently over his shoulder, sometimes he has to rough-handle me to get me back where I need to be, but he always does.