Journal
Thursday,Mar 2 2006, 11:02:00 AMthe leading of Jesus (God Words)
THE LEADING OF JESUS
A shepherd is a leader. How he leads means everything to his flock. Have you ever seen an episode of the old TV show Rawhide? It was a program about a cattle drive. The plot was basically the same every week for 7 years. I know this is true because for some reason I kept tuning in as they continued driving those cattle. I’m not sure they ever made it to the final destination!
The best thing about Rawhide was the opening song of the show. It was sung by Frankie Laine, and it was a rough-and-tough song with great orchestration and cracking bullwhips snapping in the background. The song went something like this:
Keep rollin’, rollin’, rollin, though the streams are swollen, keep them doggies rollin’, rawhide… Don’t try to understand ‘em, Just rope and throw and brand ‘em.
Now, that doesn’t sound like real good news if you’re a doggie. Stop and think about it. no time to understand us (Hebrews 13:20-21). And he doesn’t drive us. but interestingly enough, some shepherds lead their sheep just like the cattle were led on Rawhide-by driving them from behind.
A shepherd in Israel would never do that. He walks ahead of his sheep. They follow him-he doesn’t follow them. That way, if danger is up ahead he faces it first before the sheep have to.
Jesus is out in front of us today. Are you worried about the future? He already knows the future. That’s why your future is secure. He’s leading you. Are you worried about something that will happen in 5 days? He’s already 5 days ahead of you. he knows what’s coming and he’s already preparing you for it. He’s out in front with exactly the right solution you need.
When you really begin to grasp that, your fears and concerns will subside. The shepherd, Jesus, is making the way.
Hebrews 13:20-21
Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.