Mr Keller says that God knew there was a risk when He created man in His Image. God knew we could very possibly deny His ownership over us and turn way from Him. Well, of course, this is exactly what Adam and Eve did, as well as every human being since then. But God has a Plan to restore us. Mr Keller notes: “But in his usual magnanimous manner He took the second step in attempting to restore this relationship which is repeatedly breached by men who turn their backs on Him…. Thus, in a second very real and vital sense I truly belong to Him simply because He has bought me again at the incredible price of His own laid-down life and shed blood.” (pp20-21) When someone pays a price for any item, even for sheep, that item belongs to them. Are we seeing this?
Mr Keller speaks about the first time he bought his flock and the high price he paid for them. He continues, “Because of this I felt in a special way that they were in very truth a part of me and I a part of them.” (p21) He, of course, is using his experiences with his sheep to speak symbolically here, and throughout the book, about what Jesus did for us. Please, as you read this book, and I hope you will, keep the symbolism in mind so that you may see how tenderly Jesus cares for our needs and diligently keeps us on the right track away from permanent harm.
The author says that buying the sheep was only the beginning of a very long journey of making sure these sheep flourished and prospered in his care. He says, “Sheep do not ‘just take care of themselves’ as some might suppose. They require, more than any other class of livestock, endless attention and meticulous care.” (p22) Again, can you see the symbolism here? That’s you and me too! Purchasing us is the first most vital step for our Good Shepherd, and this He has already done. Now we simply must receive this truth. First, we are His because He created us. But then we are His a second time over because He died for us. And I might add even a third time over because when we receive Jesus as our Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to live in us, connecting with us and granting us Everlasting Life. God has every right to claim us as His own and to be the Lord over our lives. Then He continues to care and provide and guide and so on, all His sheep as we live out the rest of our days here. We learn to follow this Shepherd and become more and more like Him. Then we call to others hoping they will join His Flock.
One last remark about this first chapter, once Mr Keller bought his sheep, he had to place a mark on them so that, “…even at a distance, it is easy to determine to whom the sheep belongs.” (p25) He says he would notch each sheep’s ear “…deeply with the razor-sharp edge of the knife. There was pain for both of us. But from our mutual suffering an indelible lifelong mark of ownership was made that could never be erased.” (p25) The mark of the Cross, dying to self in order to more fully obey God and His Law of Love, should be the identifying sign that we belong to Christ, now and forevermore. (see Jn 13:35) We either belong to Jesus or we still belong to ourselves. We cannot have it both ways.
I hope you will go through the vital questions on page 27. Come to this Good Shepherd. Make Him your Lord. And let Him place His mark upon your life.
2023’s Got A Minute? Book Club
January: The First & Best Book Ever: The Bible
February: Love Is In the Air: “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts” by Gary Chapman
March: Spring Growth: “Secrets of the Vine” by Bruce Wilkinson
April: Living the Resurrected Life: “The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life” by Dr Charles Stanley
May: My Spiritual Mom: “Making Good Habits Breaking Bad Habits” by Joyce Meyer
June: Spiritual Dad: “It’s Not About Me- Rescue from the Life We Thought Would Make Us Happy” by Max Lucado
July: Financial Freedom “Complete Guide to Money” by Dave Ramsey
August: Summer’s Soul Restorer “A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23” by W Phillip Keller
<>< Peace, Diane
