(Luke 15:4-5)
We don't know the answer to the question: Why would a good shepherd leave 99 sheep by themselves, unattended, to search for one lost sheep? *"Even in today's world, the herdsman would call a friend or family member to watch over the flock if he expected to be gone for an extended period. Or perhaps the shepherd knows the area where the sheep are grazing to be safe for the few hours he would be gone. If the herd would be in danger, he probably would not leave all of them to search for just one." But the objective of this parable is to teach the truth, that our Lord Jesus cares about even one lost sheep. He would do whatever is necessary to bring that sheep back to the fold. As Christians we are to care, (as our Lord does) about lost souls. This life is fleeting, and many are dying without a saving relationship with our Good Shepherd Jesus Christ. The question for us is: In these moments of opportunity, to reach out to lost souls we know, are we doing all we can to encourage and lead people to our Lord's fold? To have people sing with us: "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see." Whatever we can do, let's do it, because people's eternal destiny is at stake. GP
Photo by James Barker. Published on 21 July 2009
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