‘Swaledale—A hardy breed of sheep from the more mountainous areas of England – Cumbria, Yorkshire and County Durham. Sheep of both sexes grow curly
horns, and the ewes are renowned for being excellent mothers, able to raise lambs in very harsh conditions with little to no human intervention.’
That’s as may be, but we were amused as we travelled a road on holiday to see the group of sheep (see front page) clustered around a pile of hay inside a gate. At first there were only two but then the others appeared from behind the hay – see the peeping nose. It was the way they fixed us with their somewhat malevolent gaze as if saying “Who d’you think you’re staring at?” And the way the top guy looked as if he reckoned he was king of the castle.
We perhaps tend to think of sheep as somewhat lowly creatures not proud or belligerent, but maybe we saw another side. Mind you it might have just been the rather menacing curly horns!
We’re once again in April and thinking of the approach to Easter via Good Friday. One is reminded of the words from ‘All in the April evening’ -
The lambs were weary, and crying
With a weak human cry;
I thought on the Lamb of God
Going meekly to die.
Jesus, God’s Son, given the description ’Lamb of God’ did not give the impression those Swaledales gave—no belligerence, no boastfulness or pride, but
he clothed himself with humility – as Peter later urges us to (1 Pet 5:5). In humility he washed his disciples feet, setting them, and us, an example of
loving, humble service. And then he meekly allowed himself to be taken to the cross to die as a criminal – a punishment that we each rightly deserve. We are
the criminals, but he took our criminality, our sins, on his own sinless self. Of course there’s another difference between the criminals who normally were
crucified. They would almost certainly curse and even try to resist as they were led away. But in meekness, not weakness, and humility, not fear, he,
the true ‘King of the castle’ was led as a lamb to the slaughter that our sins might be paid for. Hallelujah!
What a Saviour! Tell me, did He die for you?
Steve Piggott
Elder
April 2014
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