1355 – Lost – January 27, 2024
We discussed this place not long ago, so I dusted off a back issue and cleaned it up for this morning.
This morning, we have a photo of the sheep from Aveley Ranch in Vavenby, BC, moving between pastures. If you are ever up that way, they offer tours and have a bed and breakfast.
Moving all of their sheep is quite the task. It involves their shepherds, numerous helpers and a large number of sheepdogs. Without their help, I am confident many sheep would wander off during the drive, becoming exposed to many dangers.
The people of the Middle East, in Jesus’ day, were familiar with flocks of sheep and sheep metaphors. When Jesus spoke to them about sheep, they would have understood His meaning.
One of my favourite sheep passages by Jesus speaks of the reason for His ministry.
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”
So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbours, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Luke 15:1-7
Following this parable are two others showing Jesus’ concern for the lost.
We read Jesus’ words and marvel. We stop and consider the miracle of the God of the universe coming to find individual lost sheep.
What makes it more amazing to me is the sheep don’t realize they are lost, and most have no interest in being found.
The Scripture is quite clear: no one seeks God.
as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” Romans 3:10-12
We have the mental image of many lost sheep in the wilderness and bleating in distress for the Shepherd to rescue them. The truth is quite different. Until the Holy Spirit works in us to cause us to recognize our sin and draw us to Christ, we are content being lost. Until our hearts have been touched, we don’t want the shepherd.
The Spirit gives us our hunger for God, the faith needed to turn to Christ. Every aspect of our faith and salvation is a gift from God.
The Lord elected and seeks out those who will believe.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
We can only boast in the Lord and be thankful for the saving work of the shepherd.
Jesus picked His sheep by name from before the creation of the earth. He came to bring us into the fold and keep us safe.
Until next time, rejoice and be humbled because God chose you to be one of His.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the Glory of God alone)
__________________________________________
Please like and share this post with friends and your circle of influence. Also, please comment if you wish.
Are you aware we have an email version? It has the same content but in a different format. Subscribe today https://mailchi.mp/f27bbeb09c22/gleanings-1
______________________________
All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2024 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV).
___________________________________________
#lost #sheep #shepherds #elect #trending #hope #encouragement #Biblestudy #faith #dailyBible #verseoftheday #grace #god #HolySpirit #theology #blessing #BibleReading # #biblestudy #bible #bibleVerse #jesus #christian #god #faith #jesuschrist #godisgood #scripture#love #prayer #church #truth