"We can't," they replied, "until all the flocks are gathered and the stone has been rolled away from the mouth of the well. Then we will water the sheep."
I've searched the commentaries but have found nothing to expound on this intriguing part of Scripture found in the Old Testament. But I can't keep on reading without seeing this small portion at what I believe to be its full strength...
As we know that sheep are used as a symbol of unsaved man, and water is a symbol of the eternal life given by Jesus Christ, this passage came up like a speed bump in my reading.
As we know that sheep are used as a symbol of unsaved man, and water is a symbol of the eternal life given by Jesus Christ, this passage came up like a speed bump in my reading.
The shepherds are encouraged to take the sheep back out into the field (world?) "We can't," they replied, "until all the flocks are gathered..." The shepherds (witnesses, missionaries, pastors) realized the unsaved people could not go into the world and be safe without the water (Word of salvation);
"...and the stone has been rolled away from the mouth of the well..." The parallel between this stone rolled away and the tomb's stone being rolled away so that Life may begin is so striking that I cannot ignore it. Roll this stone away and you have access to life-giving water. Roll the garden's tomb stone away and you have access to the Water of Life. He's not in the manger anymore, nor is He just a shepherd and teacher. You must roll the stone away and see Jesus for Who He is, and accept Him as such, for you to have Life.
"Then we will water the sheep." The true witness for Christ knows that the Risen Christ is the Jesus that will save.
