Thursday Night Blog, March 14, 2013

What a treat to share this blog last night with a guest writer, Craig. He is a dear brother and a delight. Tonight is another treat. I had asked Scottie Gentry, one of our leaders too, to help us see the reality of this season, THE LAMB, Jesus is showing us HIS love by the life and death he endured as our Passover Lamb. What follows is Scottie's writing. He is a gifted communicator, and i am blessed to partner with him. 

Scottie Gentry: "Good evening dear friends! I hope that you are enjoying the last bites of winters chill as we move towards winters end. Marv has given me the great honor of sharing my thoughts with you tonight. He specifically asked me for a lamb story.  I hope you enjoy my musing tonight and, hopefully, my musings cause you to take pause and appreciate God's lamb. In a nutshell, I don't have just one lamb story, I have three parts of our story.

We have, as of yesterday morning, 5 lambs. They are cute and cuddly. They bleat for their mothers, frolic with each other, and for the adults, cause no end of bother. Yet, they are special, each and every one. Interestingly, not a one is perfect. Every one has a blemish; whether it is a slight blemish in their coat or their entire coat is mottled or the head is perhaps slightly deformed.  These lambs are like us. They are innocent for a time. They trust us for now, willingly follow us, and let us comfort them. They seek us out for safety and refuge. However, with every day that passes, they become more and more skittish and adult like. The run from us, ignore our voices, and hide from us. They are losing their innocence and choosing their nature over their shepherd. This after only one week!  How like these sheep are we!

Last weekend, we had to tend to our lambs. We had to tag them so that we could know them. We had to vaccinate them to protect them from their gluttony. We had to dock their tails to keep them healthy.  Each lamb, of the three oldest, was separated from the flock and removed from the pen. I then gently held it while Victoria docked the tail, gave it its shot, and pierced its ear.  Throughout the entire process, each lamb cried out in pain. We, each of us, flinched as their pain (at our hands) reached a crescendo. However, we could not stop. To do so would have been to let the lamb grow stunted and sickly. To live a half life in pain. We inflicted pain to protect each lamb from greater pain later on. The first two lambs, when we set them down, ran to the comforting embrace of the flock. The third lamb however curled up in my arms, snuggled into my coat, and went to sleep. He realized that what had happened had been for his benefit. Instead of shunning us for cutting out his sickness, he embraced us. Let me ask this, which lamb are you? Do you flee from the shepherd once the trial is over or do you embrace Him?

Each lamb we have is the perfect picture of innocence. It is so naive, so trusting, so willing to let us guide it. Had I the desire today, I could lead that third lamb to slaughter and he would willingly follow me to the killing floor. The other two lambs would, at a week and a half old, already be a fight.  The trusting lamb reminds me of another lamb. A lamb that was without blemish. A lamb that came with a purpose. A lamb that said "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." (Luke 22:42). Imagine both sides of this sacrifice. God, looking at his precious Lamb, at his innocence and his absolute trust in the Father, and knowing the pain that was about to come. Then look at the Lamb, Jesus, also knowing what was coming. God led Him to the killing floor and Jesus walked there with the full knowledge of what was to come. The most astounding thing is that they, God AND Jesus, did it for me. They, God AND Jesus, did it for you. They did it because they loved us. 

So, to bring this full circle, look at yourselves. Do you know your shepherd? Do you still have your childlike innocence about you or have you chosen to emulate the world? When God removes the things (sin) in our lives that is separating us from Him, even though it causes us pain, do you seek comfort in the world or in Him? Lastly, when you look at Jesus AND Gods sacrifice, what do you see? Do you see love? Do you see devotion? Do you see God and Jesus?

2000 years ago a lamb, a perfect lamb, came to this earth for one express purpose...to save you and to save me. 2000 years ago, this Lamb walked onto the killing floor willingly for you and for me. He followed His Shepherd. Will you?"

You sure bless us, Scottie! Thank you…