Stinky Pig

Another beautiful moment of “WOW! God You are so awesome!”  occurred in our zoology lesson this past week… and well I just thought I would share 🙂

We were still in the ungulates… discussing even-toed ones now. We talked about cows and camels and buffalo and camels and giraffes and pigs and hippos. There were “wow God You are so awesome”  moments all through this study of his creation but my “WOW!” one was the pig… well it really isn’t a pig… it’s a peccaries.

Peccaries have are smaller and thinner than pigs. Their legs are longer and thinner and their tusks are different from a pig as well. Peccaries also live in herds that include males. Here’s the kicker… peccaries have a powerful musk gland on the top of their rump. Peccaries stink… they always stink.

So you may be wondering right now how a stinky pig would make me have a “WOW! God You are so awesome” moment…

Here it is.

Another huge difference between a pig and peccaries is that peccaries have a spirit of altruism.  Altruism is the principle or practice of unselfish concern for or devotion to the welfare of others.

When a herd of peccaries is attacked a single peccary will step up and be willing to give his life so that the rest of the herd can be saved.

What does this sound like?

Or better yet, WHO does this sound like.

 For you have been called for this purpose,

since Christ also suffered for you,

leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 

WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; 

and while being reviled, He did not revile in return;

while suffering, He uttered no threats,

but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; 

and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross,

so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness;

 for by His wounds you were healed.

1 Peter 2:21-24

 

It never ceases to amaze me how our God has woven His gospel through all His creation… this is why He can say as He does in Romans 1… we are without excuse. His truth is spoken loud and clearly illustrated… even through a stinky pig.

This stinky peccary is probably not grabbed up to become a pet. It is probably reviled and ran from and considered distasteful and unpopular… just like our Jesus… but once you get to know him… once you see his spirit and get to know his character… oh I adore this pig… just like my Jesus 🙂

Another thing…

My Jesus put on this stinky flesh of mine… just so He could come and die for me… and for you. He didn’t have to. He was glorious, the Lord of hosts, the King of kings and Lord of lords, clothed in majesty and honor… yet He laid all that aside and took on my filth… my stink… and died for me… so that I might be saved… so that the world might be saved… the entire herd of us.

Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood,

He Himself likewise also partook of the same,

that through death He might render powerless

him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,

Hebrews 2:14

WOW! God You are so awesome!

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