Be a Blessing

Genesis 30:25-36

In today’s reading we see that because of the care Jacob took with Laban’s livestock, the flock increased greatly.  Laban even acknowledges that he has been blessed by Jacob.  “I have learned by divination that the Lord has blessed me because of you” (v. 27).

Jacob wants to return to his homeland, but Laban begs him to stay and they enter into an agreement that will keep Jacob there.  A few verses later we see that Laban doesn’t fulfill his end of the deal and cheats Jacob even after he praised him for his hard work.

Tomorrow’s passage will explore Jacob’s reaction and how he handles Laban’s betrayal, but today I want to focus on being a blessing and helping others increase their “flocks”, whatever form that may take.

To have someone say that you have been a blessing is powerful.  (And 99% of the time they mean it and won’t try to cheat you afterwards.)  To live as a blessing is a noble thing.  Jesus lived his entire life as a blessing to others and we are called to live by his example.

Am I always a blessing?  Certainly not, but I do strive to serve others and help them in their hour of need. It’s what community does.  Please don’t get discouraged by the “me first” world we live in.  There is a community out there looking to be a blessing and I hope you’ll be a part of it.

Father, thank you for sending your Son to take care of your flock.  Help me be a blessing to others and increase greatly Your good works.  Amen

The Good Shepherd

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” -John 10:14-18

We have all heard of Jesus referred to as a shepherd. In today’s passage Jesus describes himself as the good shepherd.  This drew my attention and I asked myself what would make a “good” shepherd? 

Reading the scripture, I noticed how four times he says “he will lay down his life for the sheep.”  This was not a foreign idea.  It would have been normal for the shepherd to bring the flock home to the fold at night.  He would then lay down in the gate physically to protect the sheep from wolves coming into the sheepfold.  He literally put his life on the line for the sheep.

Think of this though, the shepherd would lay down, as the gate, in case something dangerous threatened his flock.  Jesus knew why he came to earth.  His job wasn’t to be ready to die for us if danger came.  His entire calling was to die a sinner’s death, a death he did not deserve, because Satan had already attacked.

Jesus never swayed from his calling. His love for us is so deep that he willingly sacrificed himself.  He didn’t live his life thinking, “I’m ready to die, if that’s what’s needed.”  He lived his life knowing how it would end.  That is definitely what I would call a Good Shepherd.