The Shepherd’s Courage and Compassion
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
The Shepherd’s Courage and Compassion
By Braxton King
“This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger”.
This was the message given to the shepherds who were watching their sheep at night. The swaddling clothes were made of linen, wrapped the same way newborn lambs that were being made ready for the sacrifice were wrapped. It was intended to keep the lambs protected and safe for the sacrifice. The purpose was to make the child warm and to feel secure right after birth.
According to custom, Jesus was first washed with water, then salt, and olive oil was used to clean and disinfect his body. Then, he was wrapped in linen. Salt was also added to the offerings of sacrifice at the Temple. Linen is a symbol of purity and holiness. When Jesus girded himself with a towel during His ministry, He was girded with linen. This linen spoke to His disciples of servanthood. Jesus had told them that He did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.
It’s also interesting to note that after Jesus’ death, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus wrapped the body of Jesus in linen. According to the Bible, they also used 100 pounds of myrrh and aloe spices when they wrapped His body for burial. As Jesus’ body was lovingly wrapped in linen after His birth, it was also lovingly wrapped in linen after His death. It reminds us that this baby came to save us from our sins. It reminds us that the blood coursing through the veins of that little baby in a manger in Bethlehem would one day be poured out on the hill of Calvary. The linen is a reminder of the purpose of this little baby in the manger.
Over three decades later, His body would be wrapped again and laid in a tomb that was borrowed from Joseph. We know that the grave could not hold Him.
One writer said, “Jesus went from a borrowed womb to a borrowed tomb. The thread that ties the two together is a sinless Holy life, lived by Jesus Christ for us all.”
The greatest gift ever given to humanity was not only wrapped in swaddling clothes but was also wrapped in flesh.
Jesus said, “A body you have prepared for me.” When the veil of His flesh was ripped, and His blood poured out, it made it possible for all mankind to know what the purpose of this season truly means.
“For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ, the Lord.”
Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost.
By faith, you and I can believe and receive this amazing gift of eternal life.
Reprinted courtesy of McCreary Journal.