Issue 1248 – Little Lamb – September 13, 2023
This is one of my favourite pictures of Kathy. Not because it is clearest or most well composed but because of the moment. We were at Averly Ranch a few years ago at lambing time in Vavenby, BC. She is holding one of the many orphaned or rejected lambs. Her love and tenderness towards it just melted my heart.
It was similar when we did six weeks of short-term work in South Africa. Much of our time was spent at an AIDS orphanage, and the children were drawn to her. I’m sure if the circumstances made it possible, she would have rescued all the children and all the lambs.
This post isn’t about praising my wife for her compassionate heart, although she has a huge one. When I see her like that, I think of the heart of the Good Shepherd towards his lambs.
Jesus humbled himself from the perks of heaven to enter this world in the womb of a Middle Eastern peasant girl. He endured ridicule, rejection, torture and death on our behalf. The Christ could have simply not come or struck His enemies down, but he chose to not do so because of His love for us.
Not content with just humility and death on our behalf, He actively seeks us out.
“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbours, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Luke 15:4-7
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. Luke 19:10
On our own, we are as helpless and powerless as those rejected lambs or those AIDS orphans. We don’t stand a chance of redeeming ourselves.
Like Kathy and the lamb, Jesus loves and holds us fast to Him. Nothing can take His love from us. He knows all about our stumbles, struggles, weakness and rebellion, yet He still loves us more than we can comprehend.
We sometimes forget how unworthy we are of that sort of sacrificial love. We can take that truth for granted, yet most of the world has no idea about His love.
Take time to remember how lost and hopeless we are without Him and give Him thanks and praises.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2023 KF “Kevin” Corbin Gleanings From The Word.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV).
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