Unseen Assurance

It is very entertaining listening to Caleb and Ali talk about God. They understand everything that's concrete, and not much else. Yesterday Ali was doing something Caleb didn't like and Caleb told her that Jesus wouldn't want her doing that (apparently Jesus takes sides). Then he proceeded to say (very matter-of-factly) that he knows Jesus loves him, but that he can't hug Jesus because Jesus lives in the sky. Ali agreed, and they moved on to something else.

And I sat there in silence, my heart beaming with joy at the simple acknowledgment of my son. I know he doesn't get it. I know that he's just repeating words that he's heard someone speak. But its truth, and I love hearing him say it.

We can't hug Christ, but we can be assured of His love for us. The bible is full of examples and explanations of God's wild and uninhibited love for His children. In John 10 Jesus tells us that He is the Good Shepherd. Those who believe in Him are the sheep within His pasture.

The watchman opens the gate for [the shepherd], and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. John 10:3-4

I love that picture of the Christian life. We have a shepherd who loves us and cares for us. We follow Him because we know His voice. It gets even better when you understand the cultural context of the analogy in biblical times. . .

Each morning the shepherd would call the sheep to follow him to pasture. This is interesting because in most places around the world, sheep are driven. But in the Middle East, they are led. Now the only way to do that is to train the sheep to respond to your voice. You do that by naming each lamb and caring for it tenderly. It learns to follow the voice of the shepherd for provision and protection. Even when several flocks are boarded in the same pen, each sheep will only follow its own shepherd's voice. It is really quite extraordinary. (The Preaching of Jesus, Moore & Weece)

Sometimes I think we struggle to hear the voice of Jesus amidst all of the clang and clamor of this world. There are other 'shepherds' vying for our attention; impostors promising us life and joy if only we would follow them. We hear their voices because they are so close, so real, and so alluring. . .

And sometimes Jesus seems so far. We can't see Him or touch Him or feel Him. But we must know that it is our own hearts and minds that lose sight of our True Shepherd's calling. He never stops leading us, we simply stop following.

I've been listening to some fabulous worship music the last few days, and one song in particular speaks straight to this truth. The bridge goes like this:

Though I have not seen Him
My heart knows Him well
Jesus Christ the Lamb
The Lord of Heaven

And that, my friends, is the beautiful mystery of the Christian life. The more we live for Christ, the more we will feel and believe and trust in His love and leading. We don't need to see Him to believe on Him.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He is calling your name and longing for you to trust in His provision and protection. You may not be able to hug Him this side of heaven, but you can be assured of His love.

Though I have not seen Him, my heart knows Him well. I hope your heart knows Him too. . .