Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Focus On the Shepherd . . . the Lamb Who Died


"They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." (Revelation 7:16-17 NKJ)

In Scripture, the ministry of Christ is described in various ways and by diverse metaphors. The marvelous word pictures they display for us vividly display the variety of his ministries to his followers.

One particular aspect of Christ's ministry was discovered by songwriter and pastor, Albert Simpson Reitz (1879-1966) as he visited in a friend's home. Reitz looked at a writing on his friend's wall and read the words, "The Lamb is my Shepherd." The pastor's first reaction was indignation until he realized the words were distorted by a smudge on his glasses.

Yet, Reitz could not get the Lamb as the Shepherd out of his thoughts. As he considered it in light of Scripture, he suddenly remembered those who "came out of great tribulation and had washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb." That same Lamb was the center of their worship. He had shepherded them and lead them to the eternal "living fountains of waters." Reitz realized that his misreading of this wall display had actually given him a rich blessing of understanding. The Lamb is my Shepherd and will always provide for me.

What a comfort to know that the Chief Shepherd leads us through this life and will continue to guide us for all eternity. He is my Shepherd, and my shepherd is the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world.

Dear Father thank you for your Lamb sacrificed on Calvary for our sin. Empower me to follow him with confident faith. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN

The Lamb who died is the Shepherd who leads.

 

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