Dear Rose Park,
Yesterday afternoon I had the privilege to officiate a brief committal service for a Holland community member. It was a beautiful day among the trees to praise God, to witness to our faith, and to give thanks for the life of one of God’s children. As we gathered around the graveside, I was again struck by the gracious and loving words of our liturgy.
In your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant. Acknowledge, we pray, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light.
One of the most famous images throughout all of scripture is that of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. Immediately, we think of the words of Psalm 23, but a quick Google image search will also yield hundreds upon hundreds of paintings of Jesus cradling a small lamb in one hand (or slung over His shoulders) while holding His shepherd’s hook in the other. As I fanned through these images, I noticed a common theme.
In almost all of them, the look on Jesus’ face is that of a relieved parent having found their lost child. He isn’t angry that the lamb wandered off. He isn’t scolding the little lamb or wagging His finger at them. He isn’t giving an “I told you so” kind of posture and we certainly aren’t led to believe He’s threatening the snow-white creature with a punishment. Instead, He’s comforting a frightened animal and gently picking it up into the safety of His arms.
Acknowledge, we pray, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light.
I imagine there are at least one or two or even a few individuals reading this letter that need to be reminded of the Good Shepherd’s love. Jesus tells us of the shepherd who will leave the ninety-nine sheep in order to find the one. If you feel like you’re wandering away or drifting off from the flock, please know there is nothing that could ever separate you from the love of Jesus and the Good Shepherd will always receive you into the safety of His arms.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Mark
Photo by Kevin Andre on Unsplash