The Parable of the Lost Sheep, updated
by Linda Eastman

In Luke, chapter 15; Jesus began the parable of the lost sheep: "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them... " This is not a little lamb that He is talking about, but a full-grown, adult sheep that has been lost. How can you lose a sheep? They are big enough that you can't easily misplace one! Also, the shepherd stays with the sheep to protect them. The only way for a sheep to get lost is for that sheep to wander off on it's own. The sheep has to take its eyes off the shepherd and look for "greener pastures". I grew up in a Christian home, and from a little child I was taught to look to the Shepherd, Jesus Christ, to guide and protect me. However, when I was in my teens I went through some real rough times. I couldn't see then how all that pain was protection and loving care. I "took my eyes off the Shepherd" and decided that if that was God's way of taking care of me, then He could just worry about the weather, I'd take care of myself.

The parable continues: "Does he not leave the ninety and nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?... "Although I was living very rebelliously and totally ignoring God, He still loved me. He kept after me, showing His love and protection even while I was rejecting it. I've read somewhere that when a shepherd has a lamb who insists on straying away, the shepherd will break the leg of the lamb. He will carry it everywhere until the lamb both heals and learns to totally trust the shepherd. How many times have those horrible occasions in our lives simply been the Good Shepherd trying to get our attention? I know I went through a lot of them before He got mine.

"And when he has found it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home." When a rebellious sheep has caused the shepherd to leave the rest of the flock and search for it over rough terrain, it deserves nothing better than to be made into mutton stew. When we have deliberately ignored, or willfully flaunted, the laws of God, there is nothing good that we deserve. Read that verse again; " the shepherd joyfully puts it on his shoulders..." He could say "You got yourself into this mess, get yourself out", but He doesn't. When we turn our lives over to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, He binds our bruised and broken hearts and carries us until we regain the strength to walk by His side.

"Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that there is more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent." We don't need to just "clean up our act"; we can't, not enough to satisfy a Holy God. Jesus Christ took care of that problem for us. He is God, and He took the punishment for our sins on Himself. He was crucified, died, and buried. He rose again on the third day, conquering sin and death. He offers the gift of eternal life with Him, all we have to do is receive it. Life can still be tough on earth, by anyone who accepts this free gift from Jesus is promised His peace and guidance. I've been on both sides and I wouldn't go back for anything. In Joel 2:25, God promises "I will restore the years that the locust have eaten..." Many of my years were "eaten by locusts" but I can testify that they have been fully restored. The same can be true for you. If you would like more information, please e-mail me. I'll be glad to show you what I've found.

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Page by Rick Klueg of Free for All!, 6/25/96