Prone to wander
We're probably all familiar with some type of image of a shepherd carrying a sheep around his shoulders. The truth is that it is not an uncommon way for a Bedouin shepherd to carry one of his flock.
But the image has a deeper meaning . . .
I was in Bethlehem at the traditional site where the angels would have appeared to the shepherd announcing the birth of the Messiah. Our local guide shared with us some very meaningful knowledge about the normal practices of the shepherds. In particular about why a shepherd would carry a sheep on his shoulders.
Lambs are prone to wander--to wander away from the flock--to wander away from the safe care of their shepherd. Because the shepherd cares deeply for his flock, when he finds a wandering lamb he intentionally breaks one of its legs. Then, for the next six months, the shepherd carries the lamb on his shoulders while the break heals. During this time of healing a deep bond is formed between the shepherd and his wandering lamb. The lamb becomes intimately aware of the voice of the shepherd. By the end of six weeks the lamb is very unlikely to wander into danger ever again.
Having traversed the rugged hillsides in the wilderness of Israel I gained a greater respect for the shepherds and their care for their sheep. I had to wonder if a shepherd might think, "Not again. Now I have to carry this animal on my shoulders for six weeks!"
If a shepherd didn't highly value a lamb I doubt if he would go through the personal agony of breaking its leg and then lugging it around for a month and a half.
I wonder how many times Jesus, as my Shepherd, has had to do the same with me? I am prone to wander.
But the image has a deeper meaning . . .
I was in Bethlehem at the traditional site where the angels would have appeared to the shepherd announcing the birth of the Messiah. Our local guide shared with us some very meaningful knowledge about the normal practices of the shepherds. In particular about why a shepherd would carry a sheep on his shoulders.
Lambs are prone to wander--to wander away from the flock--to wander away from the safe care of their shepherd. Because the shepherd cares deeply for his flock, when he finds a wandering lamb he intentionally breaks one of its legs. Then, for the next six months, the shepherd carries the lamb on his shoulders while the break heals. During this time of healing a deep bond is formed between the shepherd and his wandering lamb. The lamb becomes intimately aware of the voice of the shepherd. By the end of six weeks the lamb is very unlikely to wander into danger ever again.
Having traversed the rugged hillsides in the wilderness of Israel I gained a greater respect for the shepherds and their care for their sheep. I had to wonder if a shepherd might think, "Not again. Now I have to carry this animal on my shoulders for six weeks!"
If a shepherd didn't highly value a lamb I doubt if he would go through the personal agony of breaking its leg and then lugging it around for a month and a half.
I wonder how many times Jesus, as my Shepherd, has had to do the same with me? I am prone to wander.
posted by Greg Nettle at 5:53 AM
5 Comments:
wow...I find myself really resenting the image of my Shepherd breaking my leg to keep me from wandering...I'll have to wrestle with that one for a bit.
I'm prone to wander too.
--D
there are times when i know Jesus has purposely broken me and i feel He is at it again. i just hope i can let him carry me through this one...
Prone to wander Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love, here's my heart Lord, take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above.
The Lord will dicipline His children as a father would dicipline one of his own children.
Welcome back Greg. I am glad that you are home safe and I am glad that my pastor has now walked where the Saviour has been.
Okay, follow up to the "wrestling." First of all, I didn't disagree with what you said. I knew it was true. I just didn't like it (prone to wander, remember?).
So I wrestled and by happy accident (I was studying a different topic), I stumbled upon Hebrews 12:1-12 (That God; He's so clever!). In it the author states that God disciplines us as children. It is implied that we will all be disciplined and if we're not, we are not true children of God. He also admits that discipline is painful while it is happening but that God always disciplines for our good and out of love. Wow! Thanks for challenging me as usual.
--D
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