Christian Life Center

There is a new breathtaking sight along the highway near where I live. Scattered across a lush green meadow is a flock of white wooly sheep grazing contentedly. The beautiful sight seems out of place but a welcome treat to the usual landscape of herds of cattle. Spring is in the air and the grazing sheep speak to me of hope and new life.

When I was in my youth I worked with cattle but didn’t have the opportunity to be around sheep. Sheep were not common in the part of the country where I grew up. One thing I do know about sheep is that sheep receive more attention in the Bible than any other animal.

They were important to the total life of the Israelites. Earliest mention of sheep is in Genesis 4:2 where it says that “Abel was a keeper of sheep.”

In biblical times shepherds led the sheep to new locations whenever pasturage gave out. Water requirements meant that shepherds had to know where the streams or wells were located. Watering was always done at noon. King David was once a shepherd and beautifully describes the shepherd’s care of his sheep in Psalm 23. “The Lord is my shepherd,” David declared. Continuous care of the sheep led the shepherd to know each by name just as the Lord knows each of his sheep.

The Word of God refers to both good and bad shepherds and during the latter part of Israel’s history the leaders are denounced as being bad shepherds. Figures of speech concerning shepherds and sheep are used repeatedly throughout the Bible. Jesus used many illustrations concerning sheep. Jesus Christ came as the Good Shepherd (John 10) and his arrival was announced to shepherds.

When God delivered the Israelites from Egyptian slavery, He instructed them to slay a lamb and paint the blood over the top and on each side of the door frame of their homes. When the death angel passed over those homes covered with the blood, the firstborn son was spared from death. The Passover celebration was ordained as a perpetual ordinance for the Jews. (Exodus 12; Hebrews 11:28) The Apostle Paul tells us that “Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed for us” (I Corinthians 5:7).

It was a fun drive through Wolf Creek State Park. It’s one of my grandkid’s favorite activities when they come to visit us. This early spring evening we were counting the abundant deer and listening to the croaking of frogs. Suddenly I pointed out a large owl perched on the top of a telephone pole. It was perhaps a Great Horned Owl. Rarely do you see one so close to the road and this early in the evening.

For many people an owl is an emblem of wisdom. Not because they are a particularly intelligent bird but the formation of its head allows the eyes to look straight forward like those of a man.

They are noted for their long eerie utterance of “who-who-who”. Owls may live to a great age. One eagle owl thrived in captivity for 68 years. Sometimes a wise person may be referred to as a wise old owl.

The word of God puts a premium on wisdom. Sadly, many people seem to lack wisdom. The good news is that one does not have to be super intelligent or have a college degree to be wise. Wisdom can be learned. Wisdom – Biblical wisdom – is being able to discern good and evil, darkness and light, and having good common sense to make right choices in life. Having and applying wisdom will determine whether you have true success in life or not. We can learn something from a wise old owl. The unique call of an owl is its “who-who-who”. Wisdom teaches that success is not so much what you do in life but “who-who-who” you are.

In the “Sermon on the Mount” Jesus taught what has become known as the BEATTITUDES. The emphasis is on “being” not doing. Jesus taught us attitudes of the heart that bring true happiness and God’s blessings on your life. Jesus taught, “Blessed are the meek (Humble), for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:3-11). Who are you in your heart?

First – FRUIT REQUIRES DEATH. There can be no fruit unless a seed is planted, dies, germinates, and then produces new life. In speaking about his death on the cross, Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies it produces much grain” (John 12:23-26). Jesus calls us to die to sin, to self, and to the world that we may live a fruitful new life.

I don’t like the barrenness of winter. The leafless trees poking into the grey sky look like skeletons. Jesus died on Calvary – which means “place of the skull”. He was placed in a borrowed tomb – but on the third day he arose bringing new life, hope, and fruitfulness to all who would accept and trust him as Savior and Lord.

Second – THE FORCE OF CHRIST’S RESURRECTION. Jesus exclaimed, “On this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:21-23). The disciples did not fully understand the mighty force of Christ’s death and resurrection.

In his book The Anvil, Max Lucado describes it this way, “There is something about a living testimony that gives us courage. Once we see someone else emerging from life’s dark tunnels, we realize that we too can overcome . . . In the eyes of humanity, death was still the black veil that separated them from joy. There was no victory over the hooded foe . . . It was left to the Son of God to disclose the true nature of this force. It was on the cross that the showdown occurred . . . Christ emerged from death’s tunnel, lifted a triumphant fist toward the sky, and freed all from the fear of death.” “Death has been swallowed up in victory” (I Corinthians 15:54).

Third – FAITH IS THE VICTORY. The disciples were stricken with fear and grief. Thomas declared his unbelief. Jesus appeared and said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here and look at my hands and reach your hand here and put it into my side. Do not be unbelieving but believing.” Thomas answered and said, “My Lord and My God!” (John 20:24-28) Do you believe in the living Christ? “And this is the victory that overcomes the world – our faith” (I John 5:4 NKJV).

Fourth – FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE SCRIPTURES. When John looked into the empty tomb “he saw and believed. For as yet they did not know the scripture that he must rise again from the dead” (John 20:9). On the Emmaus road, Jesus opened the scriptures to two of his followers. (Luke 252:13-29) Many are deceived and defeated by not knowing the scriptures. “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:30-13).

First – Easter is a HISTORICAL EVENT. The tomb is empty. After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his followers for over 40 days. Many were so convinced that they laid down their lives as martyrs for Christ.

Second – Easter is a HOLY EXPERIENCE. When you meet the living Christ, you are on holy ground. When Jesus appeared to his followers he showed them his nailed scarred hands and feet and his spear pierced side. They worshipped him and doubting Thomas exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:24-28)

Third – Easter is a HAPPENING OF EARTHQUAKE PROPORTIONS. When Jesus died on the cross there was a mighty earthquake and when He arose from the dead there was an earthquake. An angel rolled the stone away from the entrance to the tomb. Not to let Christ out but so we could see in. (Matthew28:1-9) John looked in, “He saw and believed” (John 20:7-8). Easter began a movement of earthquake proportions. (Acts 16:25-34) When Paul, a religious zealot who hated Christians, encountered the living Christ on the Damascus road, his life was turned around. Why? He believed in Easter.

Fourth – Easter is a HOLY SPIRIT ENCOUNTER. When you believe and receive the Christ of Easter, He comes to live in your heart. (Revelation 3:20) The Holy Spirit comes to indwell and work through you. (Romans 5:5) We have the promise that, “If the Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you” (Romans 8:9-11).

Fifth – Easter is a HOPE ENCOURAGER. After Jesus’ crucifixion, the disciples gathered behind locked doors in fear and hopelessness. But on the third day the resurrected Christ Jesus appeared before them and said, “Peace be unto you” (John 20:19). Easter brought hope out of death and darkness. “I AM the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he may die, shall live” (John 11:25).

Do you believe in Easter? “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9-10).