...years ago I was talking to a priest about this passage and he said "you know, I don't like refer to us Christians as sheep, they're really not that smart"....to which I replied, "well if the hoof fits"
There is a command that shepherds use to call their dogs to retrieve sheep that have left the fold; "come my way". This forces the dog to do and end-around-run so that the sheep is between the dog and the shepherd. They are trained to do whatever it takes to drive the sheep back to the master. When there is real danger present, this can carry a huge cost.
...so I was told by a man who trained sheepdogs in Newfoundland. The sheep graze on rocky precipices along a very hostile coastline. It is not uncommon for sheep to literally slide of the edge and into the sea. The master will give the command "come my way" and the dog will dive in and swim around the lost sheep in an attempt to drive it back to shore.
The waves, the sheep's fear, the exertion of both animals at times causes the dog to miss the release command when a sheep refuses to turn. The result is tragic. The dog gave it's life to save a sheep. He followed the command to his death.
...and this is the most powerful image I have ever heard of our salvation.
"I lay down my life for my sheep...for this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again...this charge I have received from my Father."
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment