By Craig A. Smith
Such might. Such strength. But all this power can feel overwhelming and a bit scary. Will this God roll me over? Will I be crushed under His feet? Then the voice continues:
'He tends his flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young'.
You breathe a sigh of relief. You have discovered God. He raises his arm in triumph but he lowers it in compassion. He is a shepherd, strong, determined but gentle.
For Israel this text found its fulfillment in the strangest of Messiahs: Cyrus, the King of Persia (Isa. 45:1). God uses Cyrus to lead Israel back to the promised land. But for us this text ultimately finds its fulfillment in the person of Jesus. Yet he comes as a baby — hardly a powerful domineering figure. Small, helpless, perfect. But years later John cries out in the desert: “prepare the way of the Lord.” We see a different Jesus. No longer a child but a man, a shepherd. He enters the river and the Holy Spirit falls on Him with glorious splendour. The Father in heaven proudly proclaims to the universe, “You are my Son, whom I love, with you I am well pleased.”
This is your God. His name is Jesus. He wants you to hope. He wants to walk through valley of the shadow of death with you. He is good. And He is saying to you today regardless of your past or your present:
'Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light'
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Craig A. Smith is Lecturer in NT & Director of Postgraduate Research Studies at Trinity College in Bristol, England.