By Jackie Weber
Fair warning, dear shepherd, this post is a heavy one, but we pray it’s an encouragement and reminder to us all of what is of first importance. Be blessed.
The Lord is my shepherd…your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:1; 4b)
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The young parents were playing Christian music softly as we entered the delivery suite. I wish I could remember which song, but the quiet spirit of worship was not lost on us. Baby Shepherd lay wrapped in a lovingly crocheted blanket in his mother’s arms. Beautiful. He was born into this world two days after he was born into heaven. We were there to say hello… and goodbye.
We gathered for church that following Sunday. They (Baby Shepherd and Jesus) united us in worship once again. Every lyric about death, about life, leapt from the screens in front of us. Tears flowed easily, but there was also joy.
We grieve now, but not as those without hope. (1 Thessalonians 4:13)
Easter is approaching. I can’t stop thinking about it. Baby Shepherd led us into a deeper understanding of God’s sacrificial love for us. Our world was devastated by our sin; death entered; and we could do nothing to fix it. BUT our God willingly gave His Son to live, die, and live again so this world could be redeemed, healed, and restored. Our precious, infant grandson taught us this gut-wrenching truth afresh. I am so grateful.
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures…
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.
Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.
The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
(1 Corinthians 15: 1-4; 14-26)
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in His great mercy has given us new life! (1 Peter 1:3).
It is finished. God is making all things new. He will wipe every tear from our eyes. No more shall there be weeping or an infant who lives but a few days. So says His Word, and His Word is Truth. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
…and a little child shall lead them. (Isaiah 11:6)
