Today’s meditation is taken from Joshua 20:1-2, “Then the LORD told Joshua to say to the people of Israel, "Choose the cities of refuge that I had Moses tell you about.” (GNB)
Even during the days of Moses, the Lord had commanded him that when the Israelites reached the Promised Land, they were to designate six of the cities as cities of refuge. These were meant for anyone who would accidentally kill another, and therefore would have to run to safety from anyone who sought to avenge them for their mistake. There were also instructions as to where each of these cities should be situated, details about the upkeep of the roads that led to these cities, and also matters pertaining to the safety measures that needed to be followed. The reason for such detail regards these cities of refuge was because this was a foreshadow for the coming of Jesus who was to be city of refuge for all of mankind.
As we continue our study on the names of these cities of refuge, we will be able to understand how these are closely related to the attributes that were found in Jesus.
We read in Joshua 20:7-8, “So, on the west side of the Jordan they set aside Kedesh in Galilee, in the hill country of Naphtali; Shechem, in the hill country of Ephraim; and Hebron, in the hill country of Judah. East of the Jordan, on the desert plateau east of Jericho, they chose Bezer in the territory of Reuben; Ramoth in Gilead, in the territory of Gad; and Golan in Bashan, in the territory of Manasseh.” (GNB)
In the previous message we studied the name of the first city named ‘Kedesh’ which meant ‘holy.’
For this message we will study the name of the second city ‘Shechem’ which means ‘shoulder.’
The parable of the Lost Sheep
The first thought that came to my mind about shoulders was from the parable that Jesus taught in Luke 15. When Jesus was on earth often he used parables to teach the crowds that followed Him. A parable was a story that was from events on earth which conveyed a deep spiritual truth.
We read in Luke 15:3-4,“So He told this parable to them, saying, “Which man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, will not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until he finds it?” (TLV)
A man who owned a hundred sheep went searching after the one sheep that he had lost. The man could have thought as to why he should go seeking after one lost sheep, when the ninety nine were still safe under his care. That one sheep might have gone deliberately away from the flock or could have been a rebellious one that moved away from the flock. Nonetheless, the owner went searching high and low for that lost sheep, and must have made enquiries from several others too as to the whereabouts of that sheep.
When we misplace something at home, we will sometimes ask our children to search for the same. Invariably, the children will after a few minutes of searching, give up and tell us that they can’t find it either. Not so the owner of the sheep, for he kept on searching until he found that sheep.
The sheep was on his shoulders
We read in Luke 15:5,“When he has found it, he puts it on his shoulders, rejoicing.” (ESV)
As soon as the owner found the sheep he was not annoyed with it, but rather he rejoiced over it.
Often times when people do wrong, they walk away from the Lord, and believe that God is angry with them. This is not true for even if the wrong choices lands us in trouble, we have a God who comes searching for us, and His heart is filled with love and compassion for us. Moreover, when we are found by God, He rejoiced over us.
The next thing that the man did was to put the sheep on his shoulders. This picture filled my heart with awe for the lost sheep had a privilege to be on the shoulders of his master that the ninety nine sheep did not experience. Also the man did not think it a burden to have the sheep on his shoulder, but rather was rejoicing over it.
Shoulders represent a place of safety. When we are on God’s shoulders it means that no harm can come near us, and Satan will have not be able to attack us. It doesn’t matter as to how far away you have gone and even if you have done things that are against the Lord, remember that He is willing to take you back, and will bear you on His shoulders. There are things that you may have done ignorantly or even deliberately, but remember that with the Lord there is forgiveness if you turn your hearts toward Him.
We read in Luke 15:6,“And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says, ‘Rejoice with me, for I’ve found my sheep that was lost!’(ESV)
As we read through this parable the word ‘rejoicing’ is repeated to emphasize the joy that the owner experienced. This was the joy he experienced when he first found the sheep, and it was the same joy he shared with his friends and neighbors as he shared the good news.
Jesus then went on to explain the meaning of this parable in the next verse.
We read in Luke 15:7,“I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one repenting sinner than over the ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.” (TLV)
The Lord Jesus taught a very important principle. Jesus compared the lost sheep to the one man who is a sinner, and the ninety nine other sheep as those who are righteous people who are already in the fold. This one sheep was a representation of the person who is in need of repentance. Not one of us in this world can claim that we are perfect and without any fault. The only one who could say that was the Lord Jesus who led a sinless life. Every other human being who was born, is living or is to be born are all sinners and with fault. Therefore it is necessary that every one of us should repent. To repent means to turn our hearts toward God. Our hearts lead us, and our body follows after the desires of our hearts. Repentance is therefore turning this heart that is going in the wrong direction to following after God and His ways. When one repents from their sinful ways there is much rejoicing in heaven.
Let’s not forget that heaven rejoices over the one sinner who repents, but heaven also rejoices over the other ninety nine righteous people. The ninety nine sheep can be compared to the ones who have been saved, and are part of the church. One thing that we should ask ourselves is whether there is rejoicing in heaven over the church that we belong to. Whenever we come together as people of God there will be difference of opinions, heartaches and discouragements. Nonetheless, if we want this to continue to be the church that God intended it to be, we must be willing to set things right. We must be willing to give up for the sake of the other, and bear with one another. Our churches should be an example so that heaven rejoices over our love and unity. This is something that we should pray much for. When we have misunderstandings, we must set them right, when there is conflict we must be willing to sit down and sort it out. If we do so, the Holy Spirit of God is willing to help us settle all our differences, and live together in unity. On the other hand if we are not willing to be good examples, this is what could happen. Those lost sheep who repent and come in to the church will be so perplexed that it might have been better if they remained outside rather than to come into a place of confusion.
The early church was a fine example to this. There were some differences, but they humbly settled the matters. They were together in prayer and oneness of heart and mind. Wherever there is unity there will be joy, and the anointing of the Holy Spirit will be evident to all. The Holy Spirit of God will work mighty wonders. It is therefore important that we examine ourselves and our role in the church that we belong to. As the church grows there are sometimes a few people who function with their own selfish agendas, and bring in their bitterness, so that there is discord in the fellowship. Let us pray that we are a blessing to the church we belong to so that we bring in the joy, peace, and unity of God into the fellowship.
The man who found the one lost sheep brought it home with rejoicing, and then added it to the ninety nine sheep that were still safe in his care. If you have gone away from the Lord, remember that He is seeking after you to restore you back into relationship and fellowship with Him. A sheep is safe only when under the protective care of the owner for only there will they find security and have all their needs met. This is something that we should bear in mind as sheep who are under the Good Shepherd.
There are some who are deliberately walking away from the Lord because of rebellion or bitterness,and hope that the Lord will keep coming after them to bear them again and again on His shoulders. Let me remind such that the Lord does protect those who come to Him, but we need to bear in mind that Jesus had to bear something else on His shoulders to restore us back to be His children.
Jesus carried the cross on His shoulders
We read in John 19:17,“He went out, carrying his cross, and came to "The Place of the Skull," as it is called.” (GNB)
Jesus bore the heavy cross on His shoulders so that we could be borne on His shoulders, that we should be restored to be His own children, and that all of us who are sinful could be made righteous.
Jesus cancelled our debt
This was the outcome of what happened because Jesus bore the cross on our behalf.
We read in Colossians 2:14, “by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.” (ESV)
Let me explain this with an illustration. When we are driving on the roads, every time we break a rule, we are given a ticket and have to pay a fine. Sometimes the payment need not be made immediately, but there will come a time when we have to pay up all these dues.
So also every time we sin against God and disobey His commands by harboring bitterness, un-forgiveness, gossip about others, look at someone lustfully there is a long list that is being held against us. This is an ever increasing list, but Jesus cancelled this debt by shedding His blood on the cross. When Jesus shed His precious sinless blood it paid for all of our sins, and these were set aside because Jesus was nailed to the cross on our behalf. The judgement for all of our sins fell on Jesus.
Just imagine that someone came forward to pay up all the fines that were due us so we could go free. That’s exactly what Jesus did for us when He took the penalty for our sins on Himself by His death on the cross.
The name of the second city of refuge we studied was ‘Shechem’ which means ‘Shoulders.’ Jesus our Good Shepherd redeemed us, and bears us on His shoulders. In order to do this Jesus bore on Himself all of our sins, transgressions and curses. We know that Jesus died a gruesome death on the cross of Calvary, so that our sins could be atoned for, and we could be set free.
If anyone feels you have gone away from the Lord, and done numerous sins, know that the Lord Jesus is still seeking after you. You can come back to Him, and He will bear you on His shoulders. The Lord will give you the freedom from your sins, and help you to live as His child again. Simply surrender your life to Jesus, and thank Him for the salvation that He offers. Come into the fold called the church, and stay with this protective family that God has ordained for us. Jesus gave His life to save us, so let us decide to live a life that is pleasing to Him.
Rev. F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
Transcribed by Sis. Esther Collins
