In the Scottish hills overlooking a swiftly flowing stream lived a dear old man and his wife, who both loved the Lord Jesus. In his early days the old man had been a shepherd on the hills. For many years he had had the care of sheep and lambs, and so learned to know their ways.
One day he was watching the flock among the hills by the side of a stream. In the summertime one could easily cross the rivulet, but it had been raining heavily and the stream had now become a swift, raging flood. The flood waters came down from the hills with a roar and swept away some of his sheep which were feeding on the banks. One little lamb had crossed the stream before the flood came and had skipped up to the top of a high rock. There it was safe from the water, but it had no food nor shelter.
The shepherd got all of the sheep safely out of the water, but how could he get at that little lamb, for the stream had become so broad and dangerous? He could not leave it there to perish with cold and hunger. He must try to rescue it.
Creeping slowly along the bank close to the water’s edge, he got opposite the rock where the lamb was. It was a dangerous try, but he determined to brave it. He waded in, deer and deeper the water became, and then he threw himself across the deepest part of the current. The water was up to his chin, and was carrying him down, but he caught hold of a shrub growing out of a rock, and just managed to pull himself to safety. He climbed up to the little lamb and brought it down. Then he began the return crossing. Throwing the little lamb into the stream before him he sprang after it. Both were carried down by the flood, but he managed to seize the little creature, and struggling through to the other side he safely reached the bank. Oh, how glad he was when he had the lamb safe on shore with the rest of the sheep.
Now, dear young friends, if you will read Luke’s Gospel, chapter 15, you will find that the Lord Jesus tells a parable like this story, only a more wonderful one. He explains it to mean the joy God has in finding and saving lost sinners such as we are. He could say, “I am the good Shepherd: the good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.” John 10:1111I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. (John 10:11).
Then if you read the closing chapters of each gospel you will find out what the Lord Jesus did to save lost sinners—He died upon the cross; He gave His life, to redeem them. Now ask yourself, “Has He saved me?”
ML-03/27/1966