The Centrality of the Cross
For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.. 1 Peter 2:25
Here is an accusation that sticks to all of us. Only by type do we differ in our wandering from God. The fact that the wanderings of some are more obvious to us leads us to misinterpret that our wanderings differ by degree. We see our own wandering as not being as repulsive as the other prodigals who end up in the swine pens of society, lusting after the pods. While it is true that there are those unfortunate souls who have taken their lives to such lows that perhaps some hogs have a better life, we must remember that no matter the degree of depravity of the individual, all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
This straying marked our lives – you were continually straying, Peter says. We understand this to mean it was not an occasional occurrence, but a way of life. Only after one comes to a saving faith in Jesus and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit opens our eyes through the Word of God is a person capable of assessing how far in our lives we strayed from our Creator and Redeemer.
We were like sheep. Sheep need a leader. In as much as there is an absence of a shepherd, either physically or emotionally detached, to that degree the sheep will wander. Man began his wandering in the Garden and has been ever since. Like sheep means we couldn’t help ourselves either. We were clueless and cavalier about our sins until the Law began its penetrating work to awaken us to our desperate situation.
The Good News is that we have returned. The Shepherd and Guardian of our souls called us back and we were by His grace, made to hear the Shepherd’s voice of hope through the din of darkness surrounding us. We could see like the prodigal the well being of the pigs was better than that of ourselves. But the Shepherd made His voice to be heard. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me (John 10:27). For you have been called –Christ – leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps.
We have returned. Isn’t that great news? We’re back from our wanderings. What we once found attractive we found only to be detrimental to our soul. What we believed to be fun was anything but. You’re back in the Shepherd’s fold. Doesn’t it feel great? Now you and I can truly say…
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. (Psalm 23:1-2 NASB)
Lord…it’s so good to be back. May I always hear and recognize Your voice. You are my refuge, the Guardian of my soul. May I never be more than one step behind Your lead. Jesus, keep me near the cross…
