1 Samuel 17: 40
Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the
stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd's bag and, with his sling
in his hand, approached the Philistine.
NIV
In the name of the One Who gained the victory over the enemy, amen.
This week we have been considering the goodness of God. The goodness of
God is shown to us most clearly in the cross. This is a horrible and
ugly thought to many people today. Some believe that it teaches some
sort of warped standard of abuse. Others see it as patriarchal
domination being promoted. But let's look at what was really going on in
the sacrifice of Jesus.
In the passage quoted above a young shepherd went to battle a giant. The
giant was there laughing at God's people. He was there to enslave them.
He terrified them. This is a true story. It is a true story, and yet it
clearly shows us what Jesus would do roughly a thousand years later. The
shepherd went to fight the giant with a stick, and a sling. As he walked
toward the battle line he picked up five smooth stones from the stream,
and then he ran into battle and hurled a stone from the sling and struck
down the giant. He then picked up the giant's own sword and cut off his
head.
In the same way the Good Shepherd went into battle carrying a stick.
That stick was the cross. On the way he picked up, not five stones, but
five pierced wounds which are ours in the water of baptism. He ran into
battle and flung those wounds from the sling of His word--It is finished!
The giant, Satan, who threatened us with death and slavery was struck
down. It was Satan who urged people to crucify Jesus, and it was by that
very sword that Jesus cut off Satan's head.
A single shepherd went into battle against a well armed giant. The giant
is dead, the battle is won. All that remains is to chase down every last
one of the enemy as they run away. There is no need to be timid, the
victory is ours! Amen.
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, You are our Good Shepherd. You struck down the giant by
giving yourself into death for us. Thank you for freeing us from fear,
death, and slavery. Help us to chase down and destroy the enemy
everywhere we can by preaching Your holy Gospel to everyone we can.
Remind us that unbelievers are victims, not the enemy. Finally fill us
with Your Spirit of Joy because the victory is ours, amen.