…the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus—the great Shepherd of the sheep—

Hebrews 12:20 CSV

The Tops in Texas rodeo has been a local happening for 59 years in the small East Texas town of Jacksonville. One of the newer, and more popular events, however, is Mutton Busting, which lets children under ten attempt to ride a sheep bareback for six seconds. Sound easy? Those of us unfamiliar with sheep may think so. Remember Mary’s docile little lamb with fleece as white as snow? Not so these Mutton Busting beasts. 

I watched a cowboy halter a sheep and attempt to keep it in the middle of the arena. He held it there so the ones coming out of the chute would come toward it rather than darting back toward their pen. It stubbornly resisted any coaxing or wrangling to just stand there. That cowboy became as much a part of the rodeo entertainment as the kids trying to stay on the back of their own sheep! 

The author of Hebrews refers to a sheep wrangler, of sorts. He closes his letter with a beautiful benediction. He refers to God as the God of peace who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus. He then describes Jesus as the great Shepherd of the sheep. 

That haltered sheep had no idea what in the world the cowboy wanted him to do because it was too busy trying to do what he wanted to do—return to the flock behind the stands. If only the wrangler knew a more effective way to communicate.

We’re blessed that Jesus came as our Shepherd and speaks every language in the world. His Holy Spirit is capable of communicating His love, His will and His Shepherd’s heart to anyone willing to hear. 

The rest of the benediction in Hebrews gives the reason we’re so well shepherded—so that we might be equipped with all that is good to do His will, working in us what is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ. (vs. 20-21)

What a Shepherd. What a Savior!

Linda Les