I am the good shepherd. John 10:11
Do you know that sheep are mentioned in the Bible 300 times? Sheep are so cute. I grew up around sheep. The only thing I remember is bottle feeding the bum lambs. However, here are some facts about sheep!
- Sheep are defenseless animals.
- Sheep are prone to go astray.
- Sheep have poor eyesight.
- Sheep tend to follow other sheep without thinking.
- Sheep are stubborn
Sheep are helpless. Do you wonder why we are referred to as sheep? Let’s read Luke 15.
In this passage, Jesus is talking about a lost sheep. Let’s take some time and really focus on Luke 15:1-7.
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 neighbors, 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.
What is the setting here? Who is Jesus telling the story too? What other questions come to mind?
Like most livestock, they eat, and when they eat they can become a little distracted on where they are going. This is when a sheep can get lost and away from the rest of the flock. Can you relate to any of this? I think when we get a little discouraged or distracted, we started to slip away from our group. We slowly disconnect with our people. We miss church a little more often then we should. We stop volunteering at church events. We stop serving within our church. We find the little exit door that doesn’t seem to be that big of a deal and out we go. Have you ever been here before? I have been. I am glad that it happened when I was in my early 20’s though. I learned a lot about staying close to the group. IF you think no one notices, sorry to burst your bubble but everyone notices. You are missed.
Do not believe for one moment the lies the enemy is telling you when you are drifting away from God’s truth. The enemy wants us alone. Alone with our own thoughts. Our thoughts sure can mislead us. The enemy wants us away from the support group that encourages us. Who speaks truth to us. He wants us to feel discouraged and defeated.
Do you understand where I am coming from? We can be or become the lost sheep. It can happen so easily.
Join me tomorrow as we continue learning about the lost sheep!
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for sending us a great shepherd who loves each and every one of us. I pray that we will be alert to our surroundings and not go wayward from you or our group of faithful people.
IN Jesus Name
Amen
