Oscar and Griffin (my dogs), Niles and Vinny (my cats), all have different personalities. Each one is distinctly unique. But they all have one thing in common…their need for love. Even Niles, the anti-social cat, needs love in his own good time.
Every morning we sit together (except for Niles) on the living room couch as I sip my tea or coffee. We stare out the window and watch Canada geese feed across the field. I take the time to pet each one of my animals and tell them I love them individually.
When one of them is getting attention the others seem jealous, especially Vinny, who sometimes interrupts me by throwing his body on me and shoving his head in my face so that I can kiss him.
What is this power – love?
The Word states that God is love. (1 John 4:16)
That means every being, human and non, yearns for God without even knowing it.
As I contemplated the idea that God is love, I literally read about it a few moments later in John, chapter 10, The Good Shepherd.
Jesus talks about the role of a shepherd. He states that if a hireling (someone paid to watch sheep) encounters a wolf he will run away, because he’s afraid of the wolf and he really doesn’t care about the sheep. But the good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. (John 10:11)
I think to myself, we are the sheep and He is the Shepherd.
Jesus goes on to say that He doesn’t have to lay down his life…nobody can take it from Him, He willingly gives it up for His sheep. And this pleased God.
Why?
To cover a multitude of sins.
Not just for Christians, or Jews, or any particular race, but for the world…
It says that He (God) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin, to be sin for us, that we may become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Cor 5:21) This makes us pure to God, not of our own works or ways, but because of what Jesus has done.
True love.
And a free gift.
As I write this Vinny is strewn across my writing arm and pressed up against my chest. I can feel him breathing and he must feel me breath too. He is content and happy being as close to me as possible.
This need for love, which every creature possesses, played out on a cross 2 millennia ago, as blood must have dripped down this cross by a Shepherd willing to lay down His life for His sheep.
Today it’s a derogatory remark to call people sheep. I hear it a lot when one wants to convey that people are blindly following someone or something. I smile when I hear this. I remember Jesus said, “When he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him for they know his voice.” (John 10:4)
I hear and I will follow.
May you hear His voice and begin to understand this love story which was orchestrated for you.
Amen
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