Happy Easter! In our culture, this holiday has become a celebration of springtime, embellished with baby chicks, lambs, and bunnies, eggs and flowers, retail sales and seasonal candies. For some, going to church on Easter Sunday is a once a year ritual. Many forego church-going for Easter egg hunts and time with family. For others, Easter is just another Sunday. But for those who follow the Good Shepherd along the Ancient Path that leads to eternal life, health, and happiness, Easter is a joyous day to celebrate the new life that is found only in Him.
As I wrote in an earlier blog post, Walking the Ancient Paths, “When it comes to health and vitality, the best route is often the lesser traveled ancient path of Homeopathy…The ancient path of Homeopathy is a safe and beneficial route towards a better destination.” But when it comes to eternal life, health, and happiness, there is only one Ancient Path, a narrow way that few find, a hard way that leads to life.
To walk that Ancient Path, one must follow the Good Shepherd, Jesus. He is the only way.
In God’s Word, the Bible, people are described as lost sheep.
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned – every one- to his own way” Isaiah 53:6
“So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the wild beasts. My sheep were scattered; they wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. My sheep were scattered over all the face of the earth, with none to search or seek for them.” Ezekiel 34:5-6
As the eternal Son of God and Son of Man, Jesus “came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10
“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:14
The Good Shepherd is Jesus Christ, God’s own Son, Who lived and died and rose again from the dead. His resurrection is cause for celebration for Jesus conquered sin and death for those who trust in Him for salvation.
“Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:5-11
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.'” John 11:25
Every day, lost sheep are being gathered into the Good Shepherd’s flock.
“And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one Shepherd.” John 10:16
“He will tend his flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in His arms; He will carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.” Isaiah 40:11
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” Psalm 23: 1-3
On Easter day, and on every Sunday around the world, followers of Jesus Christ gather together to worship their Good Shepherd, the risen King.
“For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and He will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 7:17
My prayer is that you, dear reader, will listen to His voice and follow the Good Shepherd Jesus along the Ancient Path of righteousness to springs of living water, eternal life.
“And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ Who you have sent.” John 17:3
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!
Up From the Grave He Arose – an excerpt by J. Gresham Machen can be read here.