The Israelites’ journey from Egypt to the Promised Land was a monumental undertaking, filled with uncertainty and potential danger. As they answered God’s call to leave their homes and familiar surroundings in Egypt, their hearts were probably overtaken by doubts, questions, and worries. The prospect of venturing into a vast, inhospitable desert toward an unknown destination would have been daunting. The Israelites likely struggled with concerns about their safety, the well-being of their families, and their ability to survive in such a hostile environment. Moreover, they were leaving behind a place where, despite many challenges, they had established lives and routines.
It is important to note that God did not simply order and expect Israelites to leave their homes, friends, jobs, and the safety and comfort of a familiar environment. He traveled with them every step of the way, leading, guiding, and protecting them. The pillars of smoke and fire were a physical manifestation of God’s protection and a symbol of His constant presence, ensuring their safety and direction. Throughout the entire journey that lasted decades, God safeguarded the Israelites from various hazards, including venomous snakes, an epidemic, and other perils that were common in the harsh desert environment. He provided sustenance in the form of manna, a miraculous food source that appeared each day, ensuring the people were nourished during their arduous journey. God also granted the Israelites victory in battles, provided a safe crossing of the Red Sea, and established a covenant with them through the Ten Commandments to always be with them. These divine interventions and provisions underscore God’s unwavering support and care for His children who recognize His voice and follow it.
The imagery of Jesus as the Good Shepherd in John 10:1-6 profoundly echoes God’s active care and guidance to the Israelites during the Exodus. In the metaphor of Jesus as the Good Shepherd, we encounter a powerful image of Christ’s nurturing, protective, and intimate relationship with his followers. As the shepherd, Jesus leads his flock and guards them against all potential dangers, embodying a role of unconditional care and protection. His guidance is not distant or detached because “He calls his own sheep by name” (John 10:3). He knows and recognizes each individual in his flock personally and individually. The sheep share the same intimate connection and bond with their shepherd. They recognize his voice and follow him wherever it leads them. The shepherd’s voice becomes a source of comfort and trust for the sheep. They know that this voice leads them to safety, to green pastures beside still waters.
Life’s challenges can often leave an individual feeling powerless, helpless, alone, and lost. The lack of a guiding figure or source of comfort can exacerbate these feelings, leading to a sense of isolation and desolation. The path forward may appear shrouded in uncertainty, and without guidance, the individual may feel like they’re navigating an uncharted wilderness, vulnerable to its dangers and hardships. In this wilderness, the individual’s struggles can seem insurmountable, their fears overwhelming, and their hopes distant.
As we celebrate Mother’s Day, we are reminded of the depth and breadth of God’s love for us, a love that is strikingly similar to a mother’s love for her children. A mother’s love is characterized by unwavering support, guidance, and protection – elements that are deeply embedded in the narrative of the Exodus and the symbolism of the Good Shepherd. Just as a mother knows her children individually and intimately, so does God know each one of us. Like a mother, God feeds us, provides for our needs, protects us, and guides us through the wilderness of life. Just as the Israelites were guided and protected during their journey from Egypt, and as the Good Shepherd knows and takes care of his flock, so does God express an intimate, nurturing, and protective love for us.
God’s love, much like a mother’s, does not depend on our actions and attitude, but rather it is unconditional. A mother’s love will pursue a child in the deepest and darkest valley of life. This Mother’s Day, let us remember God’s love, mirrored in the love of all mothers – boundless, tenacious, compassionate, and ever-present. Our journey may be filled with trials and tribulations, but with God as our shepherd, and in recognizing His voice, we can navigate through life with faith and courage, knowing we are never alone. In the same way, we celebrate and honor our mothers, who, like God, are symbols of unconditional love and steadfast guidance in our lives.
