A SHEPHERD AND A LAMB

 

How very fitting it is that the birth of the One who would proclaim himself to be both a Shepherd and the Sacrificial Lamb would grace the green pastures of a little town called Bethlehem.

But not only sheep were cared for in Bethlehem but also special blemish free lambs ‘because they were destined for sacrifice on the great altar in the Lord’s House, in similitude of the eternal sacrifice of Him who would atone for the sins of the world. (see Bruce R. McConkie, The Mortal Messiah Book 1, 347).

And so the greatest lamb without blemish was born as the sheep grazed and the shepherds watched in the stillness of that Meridian night. It was as if He had come among His own.

When Jesus was born, an angel appeared to these shepherds and announced the birth of the Saviour ‘which is Christ the Lord’. He told them they would find ‘the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:9-12). This the shepherds would understand for they had lovingly wrapped many lambs in swaddling cloths and placed them in a manger until they were taken to the Temple for sacrifice. They knew that the baby they would find in there would be the perfect Lamb of God.

There are many teachings and scriptural references to the Saviour’s role as our Shepherd. What is worthy of notice here is this. Every lamb has a shepherd…..a lamb cannot survive without the care of a shepherd. The Saviour is called the Lamb of God because God the Father is His Shepherd and has been from the beginning of time.

The Father is the perfect Shepherd and the Son is the spotless lamb who follows. He does this in perfect obedience because He is the perfect Son (John 8:29; 10:17-18). Where did the Saviour learn to be a shepherd? He learnt it from His Shepherd because ‘He does nothing but what He has seen the Father do’ (John 8:26,28,38)

The Saviour made 163 references to the Father during His visit to the Americas and 15 references of His obedience to Him, the greatest being ‘the cross’ to which the Father sent Him that He might draw all men unto Him….so that all His sheep might follow…..(3 Nephi 27:14)

Be still my soul

And know that He leads you

By the voice of His heart.

He beckons and He calls

Your spirit to ignite

To truth and godly path.

 

His love will find you,

He will lead you and save your soul,

He is the Shepherd

Who will answer your call.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Sweet Sleep In the Manger Lowly by Greg Collins)