Around 7:00 PM the flock slowly started back toward their shepherd to be fed and tended to for the night. They had been grazing all day in the pasture. Some liked the hillside while others preferred the grass near the pond.
One sheep had developed a few open sores around her nose, mouth, and eyes. Flies had been troubling these raw places of vulnerability. She was in pain. Ahead of the others, she saw her shepherd. He was waiting for her, sitting on a small stool by the open entrance to that wonderful refuge known as the sheepfold; a safe, protected place of refuge and security.
She ran to him. The shepherd welcomed her with open arms. The first thing he did was comfort her. Then, one by one, he removed the briars and sticks that had gotten caught in her wool from the day. Finally, he gently looked her over, reached down to a jar in his pocket, and scooped up some homemade salve into his hand. With much kindness and attentiveness, he put ample amounts of the healing balm on each of the sores on the sheep’s head. The relief was instant!
The pain subsided and healing began. Best of all, the ointment repelled the flies and other insects. No wonder she wanted to come home! Grain, a loving touch, and safety awaited her in the sheepfold for the night.
Husbands and wives, this is a perfect picture of how you both are to treat each other every hour, every day. The roles can easily be reversed in that the sheep could have been male and the shepherd female.
If your spouse does not look forward to coming home or having you come home, something is seriously wrong! You and your mate are called and equipped by the Lord, our true Good Shepherd, to comfort each other with grace and acceptance.
The 23rd Psalm says:
(v.1) “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
(v.2) He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
(v.3) he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
(v.4) Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
(v.5) You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head
with oil; my cup overflows.
(v.6) Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in
the house of the LORD forever.”
Focus in on verse 5 in the middle where it reads, “You anoint my head with oil;” This is what a good shepherd does to sheep when they come home. He puts healing, comforting balm on their sores and troubled areas which are many.
Whenever your mate comes to you or when you seek out your mate, ask the Lord Jesus, your Good Shepherd, to anoint your mate’s head with the oil or balm of comfort, empathy, listening, and patient kindness through your countenance and through your touch. God promises to bless you if you do. (1Peter 3:9)
God’s Living Word confirms this message.
Ephesians 5:21 “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
Galatians 6:2 “Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Hebrews 3:13a “But encourage one another daily,”
Isaiah 40:1 “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.”
Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as
in Christ God forgave you.”
Luke 6:36 “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
Just as Jesus, your Good Shepherd, is toward you, so you are to be toward your mate. If you feel he or she does not merit your comfort and kindness, remember that you do not deserve the Lord’s. He gives it to you freely and fully because He loves you unconditionally. His love and care for you are not based on your performance or innate worth. It is based only on His amazing love.
Finally, John 13:34 sums up your calling in marriage.
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
Now, husband or wife, fulfill your calling.
Click to get our free Marriage Anchors E Book: http://www.campuscrusade.com/promos/MarriageAnchors.html
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Copyright 2012 Jim & Barbara Grunseth, CRU (Campus Crusade for Christ) [email protected]
Fri, Mar 30, 2012
Articles At A Glance