Broken Legs

Sheep and shepherds. They have a very special and unique animal to human relationship. Sheep can recognize their master's voice, smell, and presence. Most sheep tend to stay around their shepherd, away from the forever hunting wolves. However, stubborn sheep are usually found in every herd. They prefer to happily frolic, eat, and, do whatever else sheep do, away from the rest. This, of course, would put them in danger. Back in Jesus' day, to prevent the sheep from getting lost or attacked, shepherds would actually break the legs of their stubborn sheep to keep them from wandering off. Break the legs?! Isn't that a little harsh? Just leave the poor sheep to painfully keep up with the rest of the herd? Well, shepherds care dearly for their sheep. Sheep are what they depend on to live! Each one is invaluable and treasured. After breaking the legs, they carry the sheep on their shoulders until the legs heal. This allows the sheep to get used to the shepherd's scent and voice. Every day, for weeks, a shepherd will spend the extra energy carrying his beloved sheep on his shoulders. Just one sheep.

In the Bible, we are called the sheep, and God, our Shepherd. His herd is made up of billions of people, each one requiring different needs and desires. All of us in at least one point of our lives have been the stubborn ones in the herd. We wandered off somewhere, out of bounds, in terrible danger of being attacked by Satan. But in His mercy and love, God broke our legs to keep us from running away. Breaking our legs might mean a loss of someone or something (friend, family member, job, health). Sometimes, in the pain of our brokenness, we don't realize that God is keeping us away from something that could cause us more harm. Maybe even death. In the moments when your legs are broken, realize that it could be God keeping you on his shoulders. He wants you to need Him for His strength and healing.