Much is written about the relationship between shepherds and their sheep. My dealings with sheep can be reduced to one evening of transporting a ram and two ewes to a living nativity scene at my home church in Eugene, Oregon. The sheep didn't like me and I can't say that I was too fond of them either.
Sheep depend upon a trusting relationship with the shepherd.
The lamb in this nativity scene looks with trust at its shepherd. It can be imagined that over time they've developed a trusting relationship. The shepherd can be trusted to provide what the sheep needs. The shepherd provides food, shelter and water for the lamb.
"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned--everyone--to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:6 English Standard Version
Our Good Shepherd can be trusted. God has laid on this baby our sin. He has provided for us what we need more than anything else.
If he can be trusted to deal with our sin, then he can be trusted in all aspects of life. This trust is not dependent on our Good Shepherd giving us what we want but what we need.
Unfortunately for us, the line between what we need and what we want is blurred. There is a difference between viewing God as a Shepherd who provides what we need and a Santa Claus who gives us what we want. Trust is built not on getting what we want but what we need.
For that reason, this baby can be trusted.
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(Click on picture to enlarge.)
Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner. ARR.
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