In one of the large department stores of a great city, a little girl had wandered away from her mother, who was busy making some purchases, and was lost among the vast throng of people, daily frequenting this place.
Presently, the mother discovered that her child was missing, and became very anxious about her. She sought, in vain, to find her, as the little one, unconscious of her position and danger, had wandered some distance away, and every moment was getting further off. While seeking for the child, the mother’s mind became filled with misgivings as to her safety; and her heart was beginning to give way under so severe a strain. Almost frantic with grief, at the thought of losing her child forever, she notified one of the head managers of the department, who immediately sent a number of persons in search of the lost one. At length, they found her, in another part of the store, looking about quite contentedly at all the pretty things she saw. She seemed to have very little thought that she was lost, while the things that she saw were engaging her attention.
But think of the mother’s joy at this moment. With open arms she pressed her darling child to her bosom, and was seen to weep copiously over her; not now from the sorrow of her being lost, but from the joy of her being found.
This little incident brought to my mind the fifteenth chapter of Luke, in which we find the mutual love of the Father (God) and the Shepherd (the Lord Jesus) in seeking, and their joy in finding that which was lost. Just like the little girl, we were lost, and the Father’s love was going out after us with a yearning desire that we might be brought back to Him. He was anxious for us, but we knew it not. We were trying to make ourselves happy away from Him, but we were lost and in imminent danger. The Father sent His Son after us to seek and to find us. He did not give up seeking until He found us, and having found us, He saved us from an awful and eternal death.
“He goeth after that which is lost, until He find it. And when He hath found it, He layeth it on His shoulders, rejoicing.”
“There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”
“Let us eat, and be merry,” says the Father, “for this My son was dead, and is alive again; and he was lost, and is found.”
Who of us could conceive for a moment, the depth of joy that is in the heart of the Shepherd upon finding, and in the heart of the Father upon receiving home the dead and lost one? And, if such be the present joy, what must it be when the Son shall present us to Himself, before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, when He takes us home, and calls together His friends to rejoice with Him! (Luke 15:66And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. (Luke 15:6), Jude 2424Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, (Jude 24).)
The Shepherd is still seeking; the Father is still welcoming; and there is still joy in heaven over the sinner that repents. Are you, reader, on the Shepherd’s shoulders, or in the far country?
If the latter, then know that the gospel is the Shepherd’s voice to you, seeking to save you. All has been provided, and the Father waits to welcome you with joy. The Shepherd has given His life for the sheep, and His blood has been shed that you might be washed from your sins. John 10:1111I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. (John 10:11), Rev. 1:55And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, (Revelation 1:5).
G. B. E.
ML 06/27/1900