GOD’S WORD FOR AUGUST 3 ~ ~ Romans 8:32 ~ ~ “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”

From John Piper’s book, “The Pleasures of God”

“Fear not, little FLOCK, for it is your Father’s pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

Consider the word “flock.” Look how Jesus is piling up the metaphors. God is our FATHER. Since he gives us the kingdom, he must be our KING. Since we are his flock, he must be our SHEPHERD. Jesus is at pains to choose every word he can to make his point clear: God is not the kind of God who begrudges his blessing.

What does it mean to be the flock of God? It means Psalm 23! It means the promise of green pastures and still waters. It means guidance in the light of life and comfort in the shadow of death. It means triumph over enemies and overflowing cups of gladness and omnipotent goodness and mercy pursuing us every day of our lives forever and ever.

And now we have met our Shepherd-God face to face in Jesus. We have learned that the good Shepherd lays down his life—he purchases the kingdom—for the sheep. Does he do this begrudgingly? Does he do it under some kind of oppressive constraint? Emphatically no! “No one takes my life fro me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down and I have power to take it again (John 10:18).

The Father did not begrudge the gift of his Son and the Son did not begrudge the gift of his life. It was the Father’s pleasure to bruise him (Isaiah 53:10). therefore, “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also give us all things with him?” (Romans 8:32). It is the Shepherd’s pleasure to give the kingdom—all things—to his flock.

Now let’s consider the word “little.” Fear not LITTLE flock, for it is your Father’s pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Jesus is at pains to choose every word that will help us see God the way he really is. Why does he say LITTLE flock? I think Jesus means it to have two effects. First, it’s a term of affection and care. If I say to my family when they are in danger, “don’t be afraid, LITTLE family,” what I mean is this: “I know you are in danger and that you are small and weak, but I will use all my power to take care of you because you are precious to me.” So, “LITTLE flock” has the effect of helping us feel the affection and care of Jesus and the Father.

It also implies that God’s goodness to us is not dependent on our greatness. We are a LITTLE flock—little in size, little in strength, little in wisdom, little in righteousness, little in love. If God’s goodness to us depended on our greatness, we would be in big trouble. But that’s the point. It doesn’t. So we aren’t.

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