Two years ago, we took in our first bottle-fed baby lamb. Admittedly, I was caught up in the cuteness of her soft fur and her ever-present smile, I wasn’t thinking about the long-standing Biblical history of this little animal. Yet, as the years have passed and I have watched and learned from our now small (and continually expanding) herd, I’m consistently amazed by what God can reveal to us through His creation.
This past Sunday {Easter morning}, after being awoken bright and early by the kids to hunt for eggs and check out Easter baskets, Dave and I went out front to drink coffee on the porch while watching our favorite entertainment as of late – the newest baby lambs jump and play in the pasture. As soon as the older sheep heard our voice, they came running. Now, I know better, I stay quiet in the mornings unless I’m fully prepared to bring them treats. Dave, on the other hand, thinks the stampede is hilarious and shouts “GOOOOODDDD MOOOORRRNNNIINNNGGG!” in a ridiculously high octave. As they ran toward us, fully expecting maple-y goodness, I was struck by a thought.
“My sheep recognize my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” {John 10: 27}
In biblical times, shepherds would lead their flock out of the city to graze each day. They would guide their herd to the patches of grass amidst the rocky terrain throughout the region. They would also protect their sheep from dangerous animals or treacherous holes in the ground. The sheep literally trusted the shepherds with their lives.
These days, in our small Northwest Arkansas town, our own little flock graze merrily in an abundantly grass-filled pasture. They are protected by fences and barbed wire and dogs. They don’t really need Dave or I except for treats and additional feed in the winter.
Even still, they know our voice. And they follow us whole-heartedly. They RUN toward us when we call, trusting completely that we will provide them with good things.
“He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they recognize his voice. They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t recognize his voice.” {John 10: 3-5}
I’m studying Nehemiah and found it interesting that, when the exiles returned to Jerusalem to start the daunting task of rebuilding the destroyed city walls, the priests were the first to begin the work. Led by Eliashib, the high priest whose name “coincidentally” means “God will restore,” they started to rebuild at the Sheep Gate.
Why the Sheep Gate? Why not fortify the supporting walls first?
The Sheep Gate was used to bring sheep into the city to the Temple for sacrifices and, by rebuilding it, the spiritual leaders focused on the priority of worship first and foremost.
This particular gate was critical to the spiritual health of the people. Later, in John, Jesus used the illustration of the Sheep Gate to present the idea of salvation through Him. He could have stopped there. He could have explained that the Temple sacrifices would soon no longer be necessary, for He would be the perfect lamb to be slain as atonement for sin.
Yet, He didn’t. He told the people (and us) that He is not only the gate for the sheep, but He is the Shepherd who will lead us with mercy. He tells us that wherever we go, we will find green pastures. We won’t need to settle for measly pockets of grass sprouting up between rocks. We will have abundance because, He tells us, His purpose is to give life in all its fullness. (John 10: 6-10)
As I sat on the porch last Sunday morning, watching the sheep run toward Dave’s joy-filled greeting, it occurred to me. We should be running toward Jesus with even more abandon than these animals are running toward the possibility of a treat and a back rub. We can trust Him for so much more – He promises abundance and life in all its fullness. And, He doesn’t say we have to wait until we reach Heaven to experience the richness He offers. We can live in the fullness here and now. Your Kingdom come, on earth as it is in Heaven.
May we embrace the call to run through the Gate toward His voice with courage fueled by simple, honest trust. Trust formed day after day, walking behind and beside Him. Trust rooted in the knowledge of His ridiculously lavish love toward us.
“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.” {Ephesians 4:18}