Black Sheep of God

I find myself stuck on Isaiah 53...


The passage is rich with the emotion and loyalty of a Savior to a scummy lover...


You know what that feels like? 


Ever been hooked up with lover (ie. boyfriend, spouse, girlfriend) that disrespected you, stomped all over you, abused you physically and emotionally, and cheated on you with other lovers?


Would you die for that boyfriend/girlfriend, spouse?


God did.


We are/were that spouse. 


We are/were the cheating, lying, abusive, scummy spouse of God. 


Yet, He died to win our love. 


Isaiah 53: 11-12 in The Message says:


^11-12Out of that terrible travail of soul, 
   he'll see that it's worth it and be glad he did it.
Through what he experienced, my righteous one, my servant, 
   will make many "righteous ones," 
   as he himself carries the burden of their sins.
Therefore I'll reward him extravagantly— 
   the best of everything, the highest honors—
Because he looked death in the face and didn't flinch, 
   because he embraced the company of the lowest.
He took on his own shoulders the sin of the many, 
   he took up the cause of all the black sheep.


"He took up the cause of ALL the black sheep."


You've GOT to love that poetic, juicy taste of love...


Black Sheep...I feel at home in that assessment...I've been a black, unyielding sheep in deep need of a shepherd...I still am...


On this fine Sunday morn...know you are loved and cared for amongst the black sheep of God...


All is well...


Grace n Peace,


A ~