Beans and the Love of God

One thing I often wondered as a youngster is why God commanded animal sacrifices from His people for their sins. I have come to understand 2 reasons – both are object lessons for believers. The first is more obvious: that the slaying of the animal was a graphic picture for the people that sin had consequences. The second reason is perhaps more subtle; I’ll share it after the following story which provides the second object lesson, though in a kind of shadow picture. (The story is not my own; it was copied and pasted from social media.)

This picture was taken in a pure and raw moment of our son.

Proud doesn’t even come close when I reflect on what I learned about our 8 year old son this past week. Back in March he decided that he wanted to do the Market lamb project for his first year in 4-H. We made sure that he understood that the end would result in one of his lambs most likely being in the Sale at Fair and fulfilling its purpose as a Market animal. He was set on the task at hand. He knew he would get attached to both ewe lambs, who he named Pork and Beans, and he knew where one would likely end up. He surprised us with his tenacity when it came to early morning feedings before school and late nights nursing a sick one through pneumonia. He worked them every day . Taught them how to lead and brace. He measured and weighed feed and supplements as well as making sure they had clean fresh water at all times. I would catch him hugging and loving on them when he would have a quiet moment . There was no doubt that he loved them.

At Fair we could tell that he was very proud of his finished projects . He faced his fears and walked into the show ring with his head held high and gave it all he had. He built a beautiful partnership with Pork and Beans. As a mom , my heart was so full and I was in awe of my boy. I looked at his dad beaming with pride of his son .

Sale day came and we found out that Beans made the cut. Beans and Our boy posed for a picture for their potential buyers in front of a Douglas County back drop, then their Auction number was painted on Beans’s back. At that point, tears started rolling down my sons face. I hugged him and kissed his forehead. But, he was still set on what was to follow. That night, we watched him proudly walk her around the Auction arena and sell her for a number beyond what any of us ever expected. The incredible thing about 4-H auctions is that buyers don’t pay just what the animal is worth, they exceed far beyond their market value because they believe in our children’s hard work and want to invest in them. He left that auction arena on cloud nine and so pumped for next year.

Sunday came around and we knew it was going to be a rough day . Beans had a color painted on her back which indicated which truck she was to be loaded on. Time came to take her out of the pen and lead her that direction. My heart ached as I watch my child say goodbye to his partner . As much as I tried, I couldn’t help but let the tears stream down my face. My boy gave her many hugs and scratches. His father, fighting his own tears asked if our son needed him to take Beans to semi but, our sweet, courageous boy insisted on doing it himself. The barn was filled with many kids and parents that were going through the same thing. What a beautiful thing. These animals are destined for Market. How incredible that they land in the hands of children who love them and give them the best care while they are here on this earth . I found myself in a strange place. I wanted to fix my son’s heartache, but at the same time I knew how important it was to follow through with the ENTIRE 4-H project. From start to finish. And even though this was tough, we had to allow him this experience. Sobbing, he loaded Beans on the truck , walked her halter back to the sheep barn where he was embraced with many hugs from other 4-H members wiping their own tears because they to just said goodbye to their partners. And through all of this, he actually thanked us for allowing him this experience.

My son is my hero. He is bigger than I ever knew. My son ran the race and finished regardless of his feelings and emotions. He loved his lamb, but he knew what was important. He raised a great product through blood, sweat , and tears, and he completed his project. He never asked to keep her. He never tried to quit. He gave it his all and succeeded. We are a family who loves to eat meat and he wanted to contribute to that in his own way by raising a Market animal. He will never forget Beans but is ready to do it all again next year. This is what 4-H is all about. What extraordinary kids!

So how is this a shadow picture of biblical truth? Yeshua, Jesus, came as our Passover Lamb. He was perfect, without blemish or sin. His Father gave him up for US, that we might have forgiveness. And YeHoVAH Most High did so while we were UNDESERVING sinners. We cannot even begin to fathom the heartbreak as the Father watched those nails being driven in his hands and feet, fulfilling his purpose for coming. This heartbreaking and gut wrenching picture of this little boy who gave up his beloved lamb Beans for her purpose is a graphic reminder of this Scriptural truth:

Rom 5:6-8 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. (7) For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. (8) But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Rom 8:31-39 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? (32) He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? (33) Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; (34) who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. (35) Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (36) Just as it is written, "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED." (37) But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. (38) For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, (39) nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The point is that this love of God for his one and only Son was like a massive wall, a mountain, an almost insurmountable obstacle standing between him and our salvation. Could God, would God, overcome his all encompassing Love for His Son and deliver him over to be lied about and betrayed and mocked and flogged and beaten and spit on and nailed to a cross and pierced with a sword like an animal being butchered? Would he really do that? Would he hand over the Son that He loved, with whom He was well pleased? If he would, then whatever goal he is pursuing could never be stopped. If that obstacle were overcome in the pursuit of His good purpose, every obstacle would be overcome.

Just like this little boy maintained his purpose for his beloved lamb Beans and delivered her to market, God maintained His purpose for His Lamb – our Lamb. Despite His great love for His Son, despite the heartbreak, God delivered him over for us all. Because of that, there is absolutely NOTHING that can separate us from the love of God. Praise YeHoVAH for His indescribable gift!