Dig Deep Ep01: The Gospel of Sheep

This week's lesson for the kids came from Luke 15. This may be my favorite chapter of the Bible, which is a little odd because my favorite book of the Bible is actually John. But I digress. There are actually three parables that Jesus tells in Luke 15--the parable to the lost coin, the lost sheep, and the prodigal son. Jesus tells each of these stories to drive the point home that God never gives up on us. With the kids, I focused on The Prodigal Son. I wanted to talk to them about God's love and ready forgiveness when we mess up. I wanted them to know that no matter how angry we get at them sometimes, God is always there for them. And that no mistake or bad choice is too big for God to forgive them and still love them.

But for us tall people, I want to zero in on the sheep. The story of the lost sheep in Luke 15 spoke to me very deeply when I was in college. I had made a string of poor decisions that left me pretty emotionally bankrupt when the bottom fell out. When I turned to come back to God, I found that He was ready and waiting for me, just like the father in the prodigal son. I further discovered that I was the one sheep that needed rescuing. Jesus came for me. Just as he does for all of us. The salvation won at Calvary is good for once and for all, but it was also personal and individual. The moment that sinks in is a powerful one.

This led me on a bit of a sheepy rabbit trail through Scripture. I often take one word and look up all the verses I can find on it. So, when you start following sheep through the Bible you find that there's a lot of imagery related to these woolly creatures. For example, this verse in Isaiah, "He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young." (Isaiah 40:11)

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The first time I read this verse as a young twenty-something, it was the idea of Jesus holding me safe in his arms that spoke to me. I even created a screen name based on that--remember AIM and screen names?? But this verse, even fifteen years later, still speaks to me every time I read it. Especially in times like we're living in right now where the world feels upside down and uncertain. This time, I'm not living in the mess of my own bad choices, but I am living in a time full of messy emotions and circumstances out of my control. Yet there is safety and security in Jesus. Not the safety and security that looks like "health and wealth prosperity gospel." But the safety and security of knowing that eternity is settled. The safety and security of knowing that I not in this anxious time alone. The safety and security of knowing that I am chosen, wanted, loved, and held by the same Creator who holds the stars in place, and the Savior who died to set me free. Whew. Exhale for a minute and let that sink in.

Now that I'm a parent, I have to say that the next part of the verse actually means even more to me. Let me read it to you again, "He gently leads those that have young." Jesus is gently leading us as we go through the journey-- not just of covid-19, not just of life, but also of parenthood. Notice that it specifically says "gently." Jesus isn't barking out commands. He's not berating us when we mess up. He's not shaming us when we are selfish or unstable or overbearing. Now, I don't want to paint Jesus as this snuggly teddy bear of a guy who doesn't take sin seriously. He isn't validating our toxic behaviors because he's sympathetic and a nice guy. No. We all have our moments and we all need grace to begin again and do better. Jesus holds us accountable to repenting and seeking his forgiveness. His leadership is always faithful, it's always wise, it's always what we need, and it's always for our good....and the good of our children.

We are not parenting alone. We need to know that. We need to believe that. We need to rest in that. When you're overwhelmed by this non-stop twenty-four-seven-no-break-from-the-kids-life that we're living, rest in Jesus. When you've lost it real bad on the kids and it's just past breakfast, remember that the risen Savior is ready to forgive you and give you His strength of spirit and patience to carry on. When it's late at night and you can't sleep because the news is scary, and your kids are worried, and you don't know how to soothe anyone's feelings because your nerves are raw....listen in the quiet for Jesus. He's gently leading those that have young.

So, no matter where you find yourself today, there's some gospel truth to hold onto. If you are the sheep separated from the fold and in need of rescuing, Jesus is on the move already. He never rests when one of his beloved is away from the safety of the flock. He never wearies of search and rescue missions.

If you are feeling anxious and afraid of the wolves howling at your door, remember that you are held safely in his arms. The Christian life doesn't mean that we are exempt from hardship and suffering. We know that all too well already. But settle deep within yourself the gospel-truth that Jesus endured hard things out of his deep, abiding love for us, and when we walk the road marked with suffering, we are not alone.

If you are a mama or papa sheep at a loss with your lambs, remember that Jesus is already ahead of you. He's gently leading you up rocky crags, and down into lush valleys, and to streams of life-giving water. There's nowhere you step that he hasn't already been. There's no danger ahead of you that he doesn't know about. And he's shepherding our young as we go along. I regularly pray for Jesus to fill in the gaps in my parenting. What I mean is that, the times when I really let my kids down or mess up or blow up, that God in his permanence and security would stand in stark contrast. That my kids can see God in the fabric of our lives, including and especially in the holes I make as an imperfect parent in need of a savior.

As you talk about Luke 15 with your kids this week, take time to make it personal. Remind them again that Jesus loves each one of them, that He is ready to forgive, and that we all are in need of that saving love and grace. It seems like a good way to prepare for Easter.

Let's pray.