Advent - We Have Found The KingSýnishorn

Most of us probably grew up reading today’s text with a very peaceful mental picture of Christ, the Good Shepherd, gently carrying a lamb in His arms. We can picture the lamb very relaxed, legs and hooves curled up under its body, with its head resting against Christ’s chest, eyes closed and almost asleep.

That is because we don’t know much about lambs.

Once when I was a pastor, I had one of our local farmers bring a lamb into the Sunday morning church service as a visual aid of how humbly and plainly the Lord of glory had cast himself in the drama of redemption. It was a great illustration, but one thing it was not was peaceful. The lamb bucked and squirmed and bleated the whole time. The farmer had to grip the little animal tight against his chest to keep him from jumping down and blitzing through the sanctuary.

Lambs are self-willed little creatures. So are we. Christ came to tend us because we need to be tended. He came to rescue us from the deadly paths we are on and carry us to safety. He gathers us up because we don’t have the wisdom or discipline to stay close to Him on our own. Sure, He loves us when we are obediently resting on His grace. He also loves us when we are bucking and kicking against Him with all our might.

This advent season, thank the Lord for His strong arms and loving heart. Stop kicking, and humbly submit yourself to what the Lord is doing in your life and thank Him for all His care.

Larry Locke, Associate Professor, Management