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May this website offer inspiration, hope and rest while reflecting on
Reflections on Bible verses
Luke 15:3-7
The Parable of the Lost SheepSuppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them.
Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?
And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbours together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.'
I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents
than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
parables
3 Things The Good Shepherd Does
Jesus, as the Good
Shepherd - John 10:11
- Jesus said I am - does
three things for His sheep:
- Notice that the shepherd is anxious to recover the lost sheep — He leaves the ninety-nine immediately to go after the one who is lost.
- Notice the shepherd doesn’t give up until the sheep is found — He goes after the sheep “until
he finds it”.
- Notice the shepherd isn’t angry at the sheep — He is joyful when he finds his sheep.
In the same way, Jesus came to “save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)
He “came to seek and to save what was lost.” (Luke 19:10)
1) The Good Shepherd Searches
- Notice that the shepherd is anxious to recover the lost sheep — He leaves the ninety-nine immediately to go after the one who is lost.
- Notice the shepherd doesn’t give up until the sheep is found — He goes after the sheep “until
he finds it”.
- Notice the shepherd isn’t angry at the sheep — He is joyful when he finds his sheep.
In the same way, Jesus came to “save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)
He “came to seek and to save what was lost.” (Luke 19:10)
2) The Good Shepherd Finds
- Notice the shepherd carries the all the weight — The sheep is carried “on his shoulders”.
- Notice the shepherd holds the sheep safe — The sheep are safe, held firmly in his grip.
In the same way, Jesus carries the weight of sin for us, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28). He also holds our salvation safe and sure,
“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of
My hand.” (John 10:28)
3) The Good Shepherd Brings Home
- Notice the shepherd shares his joy of finding the sheep with friends — “Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep!”
- Notice the shepherd brings the sheep all the way home — “…and goes home.”
In the same way, when a person comes to Christ “there is rejoicing in heaven”.
And Jesus leads us to heaven, “I am going to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a
place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
(John 14:2-3)
(biblestudyplanet.com)
Sheep aren’t smart.
They tend to wander into running creeks for water,
then their wool grows heavy and they drown.
They have no sense of direction.
They need a shepherd to lead them to calm water. So do we!
We, like sheep, tend to be swept away by waters we should have avoided.
We have no defense against the evil lion who prowls about seeking whom he might devour.
Isaiah 53:6 reminds us,
“We all have wandered away like sheep; each of us has gone his own way.”
We need a shepherd to care for us and to guide us.
And Jesus is that Good Shepherd.
The Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep.
The Shepherd who protects, provides, and possesses his sheep.
The Psalmist says: The Lord is my shepherd! (Psalm 23).
The imagery is carried over to the New Testament as
Jesus is called the good shepherd of the sheep.
(John 10:14-15).
Max Lucado
From: A Gentle Thunder
(biblestudyplanet.com)
We Need a Good Shepherd
Sheep aren’t smart.
They tend to wander into running creeks for water,
then their wool grows heavy and they drown.
They have no sense of direction.
They need a shepherd to lead them to calm water. So do we!
We, like sheep, tend to be swept away by waters we should have avoided.
We have no defense against the evil lion who prowls about seeking whom he might devour.
Isaiah 53:6 reminds us,
“We all have wandered away like sheep; each of us has gone his own way.”
We need a shepherd to care for us and to guide us.
And Jesus is that Good Shepherd.
The Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep.
The Shepherd who protects, provides, and possesses his sheep.
The Psalmist says: The Lord is my shepherd! (Psalm 23).
The imagery is carried over to the New Testament as
Jesus is called the good shepherd of the sheep.
(John 10:14-15).
Max Lucado
From: A Gentle Thunder