Recently I attended a local sheep fair. In my small farming town in the west of Ireland, livestock are a vital part of life here.
A group of sheep had been corralled into a pen. The poor dears trotted back and forth, most bleating in confusion and fear. The seemed to be shouting, “Where should we go? What is happening? I don’t like this!!“ This continued for about 10 minutes.
Then, it was time for the judging to determine the best sheep. All the farmers whose sheep were in the pen entered the area and immediately went to their own animal. They all looked the same to me, but they all knew their own.
As they each found their sheep, they knelt on one knee beside the frightened animal. Instantly the sheep quieted. Some of the farmers put an arm over their sheep’s back. Some stroked under the sheep’s chin, settling it even more. One farmer spoke softly into his sheep’s ear. The pen was now quiet.
My first thought, when the sheep were all running around crazily was “Seeing the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and downcast, like sheep without a shepherd.” Matt. 9:36 NASB.
Normally sheep are quite docile, but it doesn’t take much for them to become frightened and frenzied. But it was a beautiful sight when the farmers came to their sheep, when they held them close, and gently stroked them or whispered to them. Then every sheep was calm.
You probably don’t need me to draw the analogy. We can be just like the frightened sheep at times. But what a good Shepherd we have! He makes His presence known, and holds us close. He whispers His. Word to us, bringing us peace.
Three fine sheep won ribbons that sunny morning. But I got the best prize. I was reminded that Jesus holds me, comforts me, and whispers His word to me, just when I need it.
I am about to embark on a journey of a lifetime. It is not metaphorical. I will be traveling over 6,000 miles, from the west coast of Ireland to the west coast of the US. The trip will take about 19 hours.
Why? Because heaven has invited me to a special house in the mountains to minister to Jesus. Yes, I can do that here at home. But place has significance. And this place is holy.
So I’m almost all packed, and eager to discover deeper places of His heart. If it seems appropriate, I will share some of it here.
In the meantime, I am singing a little chorus today, “Oh Jesus, I surrender myself, take care of everything, Lord.” And I know He will.
“Do the riches of his extraordinary kindness make you take him for granted and despise him? Haven’t you experienced how kind and understanding he has been to you? Don’t mistake his tolerance for acceptance. Do you realize that all the wealth of his extravagant kindness is meant to melt your heart and lead you into repentance? But because of your calloused heart and refusal to change direction, you are piling up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment is revealed.” Rom. 2:4-5
There is nothing harsh about Jesus. Nothing jagged or damaged that angrily demands anything of us – He only gently invites us in. There is a tenderness inside His power. We expect rebuke, but He comes with compassion. We expect punishment, but He brings restoration.
He knows the most intimate thoughts of humanity, even the most vile and perverted. Yet He cherishes all of us. It is this undeserved and unconditional tenderness that leads us to repentance. His patient kindness conquers and melts the hardest heart. He is so eager to express His extraordinary kindness that He offers it to all, at every turn. His default is mercy, for who can stand before Him on the Judgment Day without it?
“When Moses encountered the I AM in the wilderness, “…the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in faithfulness and truth;”
Exodus 34:6 NASB
But which one of us would offer mercy, new every day, to those who reject us, or curse us or hate us? Yet, He kindly holds out His holy heart for just the moment the prodigal will come to his senses. He offers His magnificent kindness to come along side the degenerate who wants to be free.
The kindness of Jesus is the bright star that can lead you home to His heart. Never consider it weakness on His part. It is our saving strength, and the power that holds the universe together.
Let His extravagant compassion melt your heart and lead you to change your ways. He’s on your side. He wants you to be free. This is the time to let His kindness lead you home to love. But if you reject it, we are all warned that we are piling up wrath for the day of judgment.
So, say yes to His kindness, beloved. He is not going to hurt you; He wants to save you. He is not going to lecture you; He is going to sing over you. He is not going to shame you; He is going to call you His own.
“Our faith guarantees us permanent access into this marvelous kindness that has given us a perfect relationship with God.” Rom. 5:2 TPT
Taken from “Contemplations of Jesus” – my upcoming book, due Fall 2025
