Following the Good Shepherd: The Rescue - Day 4: Ryan Shook
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” But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
Matthew 14:30-31 (NIV)
Water can be both fun and dangerous. Beach days and pool days are times to relax and unwind. But we all know how dangerous water can be. Peter finds himself in a near-death situation at sea. In the middle of a storm at sea, Peter panics and begins to sink. Who can blame him? But the instant He cries out, we see Jesus’ response: Immediately! There was no hesitation. Christ reached out and connected to His disciple. After Peter was rescued, Jesus began diving into the heart of what was happening and the root cause of the issue. Peter was safe because he cried out to Jesus. The Son of God responded with love, compassion, and guidance.
The Good Shepherd carries a rod and staff. This is supposed to be a comfort for His sheep. Discipline and correction are a good thing. We often warp these in our minds and take signs of discipline as cruelty and animosity. Proverbs 3:11-12 (NIV) sums it up perfectly: “My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.” God truly cares for His sheep, and that is why He rebukes. He doesn’t want us back in the same situation that leads to death. He has a rod and staff to rescue and correct. To guide us back onto a path we need to be on. The Good Shepherd is patient and able to love His senseless sheep back into a place of safety. As difficult as this sounds, we must learn to embrace God’s discipline.
Even as we approach death, The Good Shepherd will not leave us. Christ’s love has no end and will continue to call us back to where we need to be. Through our own devices and sometimes through the will of others, we walk through shadow and darkness. Jesus is still there. The enemy will send spiritual attacks and pains sprout up naturally. God is still there. There isn’t a moment that Christ doesn’t see you or a time when He is not guiding. The Good Shepherd doesn’t waste a hurt or a sorrow. These are all opportunities for growth and connection. Pain can be used to call us back to Christ. On the subject of pain, C.S. Lewis said, “…it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world…”. The Good Shepherd’s rod and staff are meant to bring us back into the fold and out of danger.
Your cries are heard. Your pain is felt. Jesus is reaching out to you when you are drowning. The Good Shepherd is with you in your valley and in your darkness. He has specific tools to guide and rescue. They are comforts to turn to. The God of the universe is one cry, one prayer away. We only have to say, “Lord, save me!”.