like a sheep (or a bull)?

There is a specific prophecy concerning the person of Jesus that has been continuously on my mind and heart lately. This beautiful nugget that encompasses so much of who the Lord is, can be found in Isaiah 53 and verse 7.

"He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth" (esv)

John Gill, the great theologian of the 18th century, wrote on this verse: " He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth."

If, we as Christians, are called to be Christ-like in our lives, how does a verse like this apply? There are perhaps many implications, but one in particular that relates to recent events in my personal live. Several weeks ago I was in a situation where I felt as if my back was against the wall. I had made some poor choices in a situation that was then discussed in a manner where I believed I was threatened. At the time I saw this discussion that took place as being underhanded and behind my back. I was wrong, but why not come to me? Why go to someone else about my poor choices.

I see it from a different perspective today and radical reconciliation and restoration has taken place. But what about the way I reacted? The mental image that comes to mind is the cliche of the bull in a china shop. Or perhaps like that of a rodeo bull. Yeah, lets take that analogy and run with it. It was like I had been placed within a chute, smacked on the rear end, and I began to snort, scrape my hooves and buck like a bull named Foo Man Chu. I was anything but Christ-like. Why, when I feel smacked, do I tend to immediately transform into a bull bent on the pursuit of self vindication? Get out of my way or else!

With Jesus as our example, He was being led off to the slaughter to be put to death for the "crimes" that you and I would commit. He was totally innocent, I cannot stake that claim. As Charles Spurgeon says, even our most righteous moments in this life are still stained and tainted with sin. Not so with Jesus, yet He did not become a bull, but a lamb! He did not buck, snort, stomp and rant, He humbly allowed himself to become a slaughtered sheep for you and I.

Man I tend to jump out there and shoot off at the mouth in defense of what I perceive to be a threat or if I feel my toes (or hooves) are being stepped on. If I truly take Christ as my example, a thousand things need to be changed in my life, but first of all I can be silent, allow God to be God, know that He can right all wrongs and that he does not need me to create more chaos and pain when the bull has been slapped on the backside!

Oh Lord help me to be rid of myself and willing to become more like You!