Jesus: Lamb & Shepherd

I don’t need to repeat news alerts or articles to tell you of tribulation.

There is no time in human history that has not come with some sort of tribulation.

Is there any doubt that what we call “life” is “the great tribulation”?

It may get worse, but do we need it to? To call on God to save us?

Can anything overcome pain and evil in this world?

Can anything overcome the possibility of experiencing the eternal tribulation and torment of hell?

No nation, community, position, amount of wealth, or good health will stand in the end.

Stories with terrible Endings make them pointless.

Have you ever read a book or watched a movie that had a terrible ending?

Plot Problems

One Dimensional Characters

Empty Background \ Bad World-building

No Conflict \ Flat Plots

Lack of Tension \ Low Stakes

Overarching Plot \ Predictable Twists

Bad Pacing

Flat Dialog

Exposition Dumps

Inaccuracies

What if we allowed the perfect author write our story?

Christ is the innocent lamb of sacrifice who brings the End.

The Lamb is simply who he is, humble, innocent, and lovingly sacrificial.

Why would we want anyone else to lead us?

The Father gave the Son, Jesus Christ, all authority to draw all who would follow him to God and restore all of Creation.

Christ gives those who follow him in holy love, authority over Creation.

All of Creation includes the angels, the people of God, and all creatures.

When the Lamb is crowned with authority, he becomes the Shepherd.

Christ is also the Shepherd who leads, saves, provides, and restores.

A Shepherd saves the sheep from any danger.

From harsh environments and attacking wolves, even those who pass themselves off as sheep.

A Shepherd leads the flock of sheep to the best place for them.

A Shepherd provides the sheep green pastures to eat and rest.

A Shepherd shears the sheep so they can live fulfilling lives.

A Shepherd works for the good of the sheep.

God works to bring God’s perfect Ending.

Christ brings all who follow him into eternal life with God.

The ruler over Israel is ruler of all who follow him to become part of the house of the Lord, the people of God.

Numbers in the Revelation symbolizes completeness, so, all who would come to Christ in history will do so before Christ’s return.

Revelation 2:10b–11 NIV

11 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.

Christ’s return will also happen in God’s perfect timing.

Christ will end All Tribulations.

Christ becomes our peace by bringing an end to all sorrow, sin and evil to all the world.

Can we lead, save, provide, and restore ourselves?

If you could, what need do you have of God?

Can anyone else save, provide, or restore us to perfection?

If you can honestly answer that question with a certain “Yes”,

then maybe saying, “Jesus Christ is Lord” is not a truthful statement for you.

That discomfort that you may be feeling, that conviction of the Holy Spirit is given by grace.

It is that prevenient grace that prevents sin and evil to reign in our lives.

Take the time to listen deeply to that conviction, because the key is responding to it with humility and repentance.

Knowing the Lamb become our Shepherd, we follow him and invite others to follow the only one worth following.