April 14th—also known in the Bible as the 14th of Nisan—is the day God commanded the Passover lamb to be sacrificed. Jesus, our true Passover Lamb, gave His life on this very Wednesday as the supreme sacrifice for us for our sins. And soon, we’ll be celebrating His glorious resurrection on that early Sunday morning, which in Jesus' day occurred on April 17th. So, let me be the first to say: Happy Resurrection Day!
As we rejoice in the empty tomb of our risen Saviour, I want to take you to an often-overlooked passage of Scripture that offers a breathtaking glimpse into the heart of the Shepherd.
Have you ever felt the Lord pull back the curtain of His Word, revealing something profoundly personal and awe-inspiring? That's precisely what happens to me when I read Zechariah 11.
Zechariah 11 is a remarkable chapter, rich in prophecy and profound spiritual truths. But there's one verse that always stops me in my tracks—verse 7:
"And I will feed the flock of slaughter, even you, O poor of the flock. And I took unto me two staves; the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bands; and I fed the flock."
This verse stirs something deep within me every time I read it. It offers a stunning window into the heart of God. More than poetic language, these words are saturated with eternal meaning. Let's pause and reflect on the powerful imagery and truth embedded here.
The Shepherd's Heart
When the Lord says, "I will feed the flock of slaughter, even you, O poor of the flock," He's not just making a statement—He's unveiling His heart. Picture a shepherd standing over a doomed flock headed for destruction—vulnerable, broken, and lost. He steps in instead of walking away and leaving them to their fate. He doesn't just guide them; He gives them what they need—nourishment, tending to their wounds, and ultimately lays down His life to save them.
Doesn't this echo the words of Jesus in John 10:11? "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." This is the heartbeat of God—a love so fierce and relentless that it reaches us in our lowest hell. He doesn't shepherd us out of duty but out of deep, compassionate love.
Two Staves: Beauty and Bands
Then the Lord speaks of two staves--Beauty and Bands. In His eternal counsel, the Good Shepherd chose these staves and willingly laid down His life on a cruel wooden cross. He who healed the broken and sought the lost allowed His own life to be led to the slaughter of the two staves: the cross. It wasn't a random act. His death was intentional, purposed in love, not obligation—a sacrifice outpouring from the deepest depths of His heart.
Beauty—what an unexpected name for an instrument of death. The cross was designed for humiliation, torture, and a grotesque death; yet in God's eyes, it was beautifully redemptive. Not because of the agony it inflicted but because of what it accomplished. On that cross, God's perfect love was put on display for all humanity. In those brutal moments of suffering, Jesus Christ bore the full weight of our sin, our shame, and our separation from God. What the world saw as defeat, Heaven declared as the greatest triumph. Eternal grace was given access to us lowly worms, turning condemnation into redemption and hope.
Bands—what a striking name for the other staff. This speaks to the unity and reconciliation the cross made possible. The Good Shepherd didn't die for just one person—He died for the whole flock. His blood bound us together—Jew and Gentile, near and far, broken and whole—into one fold. The cross broke down barriers of sin, hostility, and separation, forging a bond that nothing can sever. Bands remind us that the cross wasn't just personal—it was powerfully communal, bringing peace and unity to all who believe.
"I Fed the Flock"
Twice in this verse, the Lord declares, "I fed the flock." This repetition is no accident—it highlights His tender care and deep provision. Feeding the flock isn't just about meeting physical needs; it speaks of spiritual nourishment. He feeds our souls with wisdom, peace, and the Bread of Life—Jesus Himself.
Think back to the moments when you've felt lost, weary, or spiritually dry. Hasn't God always found a way to feed you? God's Word has fed you. His Spirit has sustained you. Even when we don't fully comprehend it, the Shepherd always sustains us, tends to us, and leads us to green pastures.
The Cross: Where Beauty and Bands Meet
When we view these two staves through the light of the cross, the depth of their meaning unfolds with profound clarity and beauty. The cross, made of two intersecting beams—one vertical, pointing to God's grace from Heaven to earth, and one horizontal, stretching unity and peace Christ brings to humanity—joins Beauty and Bands in perfect harmony.
What a powerful picture of God's heart! At Calvary, the Shepherd fed His flock with His own body and blood. He bore our punishment so we could receive the beauty of His grace, the healing of our iniquities, and the unity of His family. The cross is where His justice met His mercy, His love overcame our sin, and the Shepherd gave everything to call us His own.
A Call to Respond
Zechariah 11:7 doesn't just foreshadow Christ's crucifixion—it reveals the breathtaking depth of God's unfathomable love. It is a love that feeds the flock even when we are destined for slaughter. It is a love that offers beauty for ashes and binds hearts together in peace. It is a love that beckons us to the foot of the cross, where Beauty and Bands meet, and eternal life begins.
As you meditate on this verse, don't miss the invitation woven through its words. God longs to shepherd you. To guide you. To feed you. But will you receive His grace? Will you walk in the unity He offers through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross?
Today, pause and thank the Shepherd for His staves of Beauty and Bands. Reflect on how His grace has transformed your life. Consider how His sacrifice has united you into His family. And if you've wandered or ever felt unworthy of His love, know this: the Shepherd's heart still beats for you. Christ Jesus stands ready to feed, carry, and call you His own.
RETURN TO ALL BLOGS
As we rejoice in the empty tomb of our risen Saviour, I want to take you to an often-overlooked passage of Scripture that offers a breathtaking glimpse into the heart of the Shepherd.
Have you ever felt the Lord pull back the curtain of His Word, revealing something profoundly personal and awe-inspiring? That's precisely what happens to me when I read Zechariah 11.
Zechariah 11 is a remarkable chapter, rich in prophecy and profound spiritual truths. But there's one verse that always stops me in my tracks—verse 7:
"And I will feed the flock of slaughter, even you, O poor of the flock. And I took unto me two staves; the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bands; and I fed the flock."
This verse stirs something deep within me every time I read it. It offers a stunning window into the heart of God. More than poetic language, these words are saturated with eternal meaning. Let's pause and reflect on the powerful imagery and truth embedded here.
The Shepherd's Heart
When the Lord says, "I will feed the flock of slaughter, even you, O poor of the flock," He's not just making a statement—He's unveiling His heart. Picture a shepherd standing over a doomed flock headed for destruction—vulnerable, broken, and lost. He steps in instead of walking away and leaving them to their fate. He doesn't just guide them; He gives them what they need—nourishment, tending to their wounds, and ultimately lays down His life to save them.
Doesn't this echo the words of Jesus in John 10:11? "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." This is the heartbeat of God—a love so fierce and relentless that it reaches us in our lowest hell. He doesn't shepherd us out of duty but out of deep, compassionate love.
Two Staves: Beauty and Bands
Then the Lord speaks of two staves--Beauty and Bands. In His eternal counsel, the Good Shepherd chose these staves and willingly laid down His life on a cruel wooden cross. He who healed the broken and sought the lost allowed His own life to be led to the slaughter of the two staves: the cross. It wasn't a random act. His death was intentional, purposed in love, not obligation—a sacrifice outpouring from the deepest depths of His heart.
Beauty—what an unexpected name for an instrument of death. The cross was designed for humiliation, torture, and a grotesque death; yet in God's eyes, it was beautifully redemptive. Not because of the agony it inflicted but because of what it accomplished. On that cross, God's perfect love was put on display for all humanity. In those brutal moments of suffering, Jesus Christ bore the full weight of our sin, our shame, and our separation from God. What the world saw as defeat, Heaven declared as the greatest triumph. Eternal grace was given access to us lowly worms, turning condemnation into redemption and hope.
Bands—what a striking name for the other staff. This speaks to the unity and reconciliation the cross made possible. The Good Shepherd didn't die for just one person—He died for the whole flock. His blood bound us together—Jew and Gentile, near and far, broken and whole—into one fold. The cross broke down barriers of sin, hostility, and separation, forging a bond that nothing can sever. Bands remind us that the cross wasn't just personal—it was powerfully communal, bringing peace and unity to all who believe.
"I Fed the Flock"
Twice in this verse, the Lord declares, "I fed the flock." This repetition is no accident—it highlights His tender care and deep provision. Feeding the flock isn't just about meeting physical needs; it speaks of spiritual nourishment. He feeds our souls with wisdom, peace, and the Bread of Life—Jesus Himself.
Think back to the moments when you've felt lost, weary, or spiritually dry. Hasn't God always found a way to feed you? God's Word has fed you. His Spirit has sustained you. Even when we don't fully comprehend it, the Shepherd always sustains us, tends to us, and leads us to green pastures.
The Cross: Where Beauty and Bands Meet
When we view these two staves through the light of the cross, the depth of their meaning unfolds with profound clarity and beauty. The cross, made of two intersecting beams—one vertical, pointing to God's grace from Heaven to earth, and one horizontal, stretching unity and peace Christ brings to humanity—joins Beauty and Bands in perfect harmony.
What a powerful picture of God's heart! At Calvary, the Shepherd fed His flock with His own body and blood. He bore our punishment so we could receive the beauty of His grace, the healing of our iniquities, and the unity of His family. The cross is where His justice met His mercy, His love overcame our sin, and the Shepherd gave everything to call us His own.
A Call to Respond
Zechariah 11:7 doesn't just foreshadow Christ's crucifixion—it reveals the breathtaking depth of God's unfathomable love. It is a love that feeds the flock even when we are destined for slaughter. It is a love that offers beauty for ashes and binds hearts together in peace. It is a love that beckons us to the foot of the cross, where Beauty and Bands meet, and eternal life begins.
As you meditate on this verse, don't miss the invitation woven through its words. God longs to shepherd you. To guide you. To feed you. But will you receive His grace? Will you walk in the unity He offers through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross?
Today, pause and thank the Shepherd for His staves of Beauty and Bands. Reflect on how His grace has transformed your life. Consider how His sacrifice has united you into His family. And if you've wandered or ever felt unworthy of His love, know this: the Shepherd's heart still beats for you. Christ Jesus stands ready to feed, carry, and call you His own.
RETURN TO ALL BLOGS
