When Jesus Enters into our Fear

When I took this photo last week, the lamb held my gaze.   Besides being adorably cute, he seemed so peaceful, trusting and innocent.   Seeing the lamb's diminutive size and sweet little face turned to me, spoke volumes that my Jesus would come as the Lamb of God.  Jesus took on real vulnerability by entering our sheepfold.    When we look at our own limitations and the world's worst brokenness, it is so easy to be fearful.    Yet redemptive, Jesus thinking transforms our worst circumstances by knowing our worth is not based on our actions and our future is a glorious one.   How I need to gaze at the Man Lamb, because Jesus scattered the wolves of fear forever and always by his completed work on the cross. 

May I never forget that my Great Shepherd chose to also dress as a sheep.  Jesus knows what it means to be falsely accused, to be jeered at with spit flying, to be rejected by his closest companions, to be hated unreasonably and abandoned in time of need.  He wore all our vulnerability and worst fears on his shoulders.    I meditate on words penned for me.

 Isaiah 53

Surely he took up our pain
    and bore our suffering
...
 he was pierced for our transgressions,
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
    and by his wounds we are healed
 ...

He was oppressed and afflicted,
    yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter
   

Jesus willingly took on meekness.   Wolves of destruction and heartache growl and threaten, but Jesus entered the sheepfold as the lowly one, blood-smeared, and perfect.   I have seen how the wolves tuck tail at the scent of Jesus' blood.


In the thick of things, I have experienced how Jesus tenderly prepares godly shepherds that will care for us when we face fear.   Just as in old, Jesus still calls Peters to feed his lambs, feed his sheep and for emphasis he says it again.   Christ wants the best for his flock.   If I substitute "his flock" for ME,  it truly becomes transformative.   Jesus wants the best for me!

Jesus leads me to pleasant pasture where I am satisfied on the fullness of Himself.  However in my little sheep brain, sometimes I mistake the best pasture for a lesser one.  Yet even there grazing on the thinner, rock strewn grass, Jesus instills my soul with the verdancy of his unchangeable Love for me.  Jesus never lets me graze aimlessly.  What a relief that I can't diminish God's plans for me and that He has appointed the perfect pasture for my soul.

Jesus, O, sweet Lamb of God!