Amos sat among the sheep in the dawn, his forehead resting on his hands as they enfolded the top of his staff. Darkness seemed to be everywhere. As he and Jacob had hurried home the other day, after Jesus died on the cross, darkness covered the earth. They’d needed to light their torches to see the path.
After the Passover meal, Amos left Jacob home and once again tended sheep—alone. All day yesterday, he pondered the things he’d seen and heard all week in Jerusalem right up to Jesus’ death. What could be God’s plan? He never could let go of the angels and the baby and now the ancient Scriptures from Isaiah haunted him, too. How did it fit? And did his people have a Messiah or did Amos miss Him and He still wandered around somewhere else?
Amos groaned and shifted his aching legs. “What kind of pain He must have suffered,” he shook his head. “And why does He grip me so? I can’t think of anything else!”
But what about the healings and how Jesus taught the Scriptures? It was like nothing Amos or anyone else had ever known. “Yet,” Amos argued with himself, “how could a Messiah be dead?”
He dropped his head between his knees in weariness. Thoughts like these had been going round and round since—well—since he and Jacob had witnessed Jesus’ death. And, at the end, what did Jesus mean when He cried out, “IT IS FINISHED!”
Would Amos ever feel normal again? After all, he was just a lowly shepherd, why must he ponder these things at all? That was for the Pharisees – the learned teachers of the Law to do. Yet Amos recoiled in his spirit from those very leaders. They were harsh, taught Law and killed Jesus.
Jesus taught Love in the Law.
As the dawn became a rosy pink, Amos lifted his head to stare across the valley below. Years ago, his family had moved to the hills closer to Jerusalem. His eyes were riveted to the Skull, which he could barely make out in the distance and he shuddered. Then a flash of light, closer—near the gardens, and suddenly so bright Amos couldn’t see for a moment. His heart swelled.
The light disappeared as fast as it came, but in the early morning shadows, like a whisper to his heart, Amos felt a sense of expectancy. With fingers tightening around his staff, he waited.
When the sun broke through the pink and blue sky with gilded streaks, Amos knew. He smiled. Then his smile grew wider. Then he began to laugh and heard his own laughter echoing around the hills. He had heard the rumors that Jesus would arise from the dead! He rejoiced! He, Amos the Shepherd—privileged to be present at the fulfillment of what the angels foretold when the Messiah first arrived on the earth!
Glory to God in the highest. And on earth peace, goodwill to men.
Redeemed back to God. Hope fulfilled. Hosanna! Glory to God in the highest!
Celebrating Resurrection Day with you!
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