Pure White or Snarled and Smelly?????
When you hear the word “sheep” what image pops into your head? Do childhood memories flash an image of a fluffy, pure white, gentle lamb nibbling grass by a rushing stream? Maybe Jesus and His disciples might even be resting near-by as He teaches them a new truth about following the Good Shepherd?
Psalm 23:1-2 rushes through my brain. “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing, He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.” Maybe I even think of some green, flowering Palestinian hillside with a shepherd extending his staff or crook attempting to rescue a wandering lamb. Regardless, everything is calm, clean, and perfectly pure with a wee, curly lamb waiting to be held.
But, and that is a gigantic “but”. Perhaps my image is incredibly distorted. Try and remember when you actually saw sheep grazing on a hillside or penned up in a farmer’s field. Were those wool bearing creatures of God really pure white and smiling?
Take a second memory trip, or glance at our second sheep shot shown below. The wool is not pure, fluffy white. Sheep often live among brambles found in rocky landscapes. Their wool is muddy, mucky, and matted. Usually they have slobbery noses and stink. They certainly do not look as if they just popped out of an aisle in a toy store. Pure white they are not.
Our scriptures acknowledge that Jesus is the Good Shepherd so you know who the sheep represents. Yes, you and me. Wow!
“What,” you yell back at me? Perhaps you even add, “I’m not snarly and smelly. No way would I wander intentionally into a patch of thorns and thistles? I prefer the image of the little white lamb, not a flee infested hunk of mutton.”
Sorry guys and gals. Humans are more sheep-like than we want to admit. On Sundays we march quietly into services after showering and jumping into our clean “Sunday-go-to-meeting” clothes and generally with smiles on our shining faces. But what about the other six days of the week?
The reality is, we goof. We sin. No, no! I don’t think my readers have murdered anyone or even robbed a bank. But we forget to forgive others who may intentionally or accidentally offend us. Angry words leap out of our mouth as conflicts between friends, family, or casual acquaintances arise. Perhaps some of the fruit of the spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23 becomes spoiled as love, joy, or kindness evaporates from our actions. We have thorns and brambles in our lives.
The truth is, we each are found guilty as God reviews our life, thoughts, and actions. Then the great news. The Good Shepherd will reach out with His crook to rescue us.
There is one condition though. We must initiate some action. He not only will seek out the pure, fluffy-and-clean sheep, but yes, He will reach out to each of us with thorns and snarls if we seek Him. Jesus shows us with His life and resurrection that He loves us. He wants to clean us up. I, for one, am grateful that He cares and loves me. Now I just need to remember each day to seek forgiveness.
Kathryn Ransom 