Perhaps you know that if a sheep strays away, it does not find its way back as other animals will, so the shepherd must go after it; often it keeps on until it is among bushes or rocks where it is hard to find it. The Lord Jesus once told about a lost sheep. He said: “What man of you having a hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
“And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And 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.”
If you had a little pet lamb, which wandered away, you would not rest until you found it and had it safe home, would you? Perhaps you could not lift the lamb on your shoulders and carry it, but that is what a strong shepherd can do.
The Tender Shepherd
We can understand that the Lord Jesus really wanted to teach what is of far greater value than sheep; He wanted to show them about people who are lost to God, because of sins, for He said the shepherd’s joy over finding the sheep is like the joy in heaven over one sinner that repents of his sins.
Jesus Himself was like the kind shepherd. He came to earth to find and save men, women, boys and girls who all go their own way and are far from God’s way. It was not easy for Him to save people lost in sin—to do that He gave His own life.
But notice how He told of the tender care of a shepherd, taking the tired sheep on his shoulders and carrying it back, and rejoicing over it. So is His care for every one who repents, or is sorry and ashamed of his sins. If you would like the Lord Jesus to save you, all you can do is to tell Him about your sins, and trust Him as your Saviour, and He will take you safe to heaven.
Perhaps you do not think you are lost from God, but think about these words: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:66All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)). “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23)).
The Lost Coin
Jesus told also how sorry a woman would be to lose one piece of silver. It is said that silver pieces were often a marriage gift and so were greatly prized, and if a woman lost one, she would search carefully for it. When she found it, she would be happy and would tell her friends.
And Jesus said so would there be joy in the presence of the angels over one sinner that repenteth.
It is very wonderful to know that there can be joy in heaven when one boy or girl or man or woman is sorry for his sins and trusts the Lord Jesus to save him.
Further Meditation
1. What does a shepherd do when his sheep is lost?
2. What does our Good Shepherd do after He has found us, the lost sheep? What examples from God’s Word can you give for the tender care that He shows for His sheep?
3. The Lord Is My Shepherd and Other Papers by H. Smith is very easy to read and quite encouraging for believers who have a deep sense of their need for the Shepherd’s care.