  
|
Jesus the Good Shepherd Luke 15:4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? We read in Luke 15 that some Pharisees and scribes, who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others (Luke 18:9), challenged Jesus because He ate with publicans and sinners. These people were well acquainted with the keeping of sheep and the duties of a shepherd. The shepherd was responsible for the sheep's total welfare. He took them to pasture in the morning and made sure that there was plenty of water to drink (Psalms 23). He guarded against wild beast (I Sam. 17:34) and kept the sheep from straying. At night he returned the sheep to the fold and counted them to see that none was missing. If there was, it was his job to find and return that sheep to the fold. Jesus asked them, "What do you do if you have a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away?" Is there one of you that will not leave the ninety nine other sheep and go search in the wilderness for the lost one? Do you not lift this shivering lamb and hold him close to your body to give him warmth? When you see your friend's do you not say to them, "Rejoice with me, I've found my lost sheep, he's back safely in the fold now? Of course you do." Aren’t you thankful for Jesus the Good Shepherd? A great painting comes to mind of the Good Shepherd reaching down to a lamb who has been stranded on the side of a steep mountain. Another painting depicts the Gentle Shepherd cradling a little lamb in His protective arms. I think we can identify with both. Isaiah 40:11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry [them] in his bosom, [and] shall gently lead those that are with young. Do we remember where we were when Jesus found us? 1Peter 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. All of us have strayed at one time or another. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. Perhaps we wanted a bit of excitement or we wanted to gratify our carnal lust. The Shepherd didn't berate the sheep when He found Him. No, He lifted him up and gave him warmth and shelter from the elements as He joyfully carried him back to the fold. What a picture of The Good Shepherd which Jesus described in John 10:1-17. Jesus said that He was the Good Shepherd, who was the door to the Sheepfold. His sheep knew His voice and would not follow another. The Good Shepherd was prepared to lay down His life for the sheep, which Jesus freely did for us. The apostle Peter called Jesus the Chief Shepherd and Bishop of your soul (I Peter 2:25). John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. John 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my [sheep], and am known of mine. John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: Jesus had compassion on the multitudes who were scattered and fainting because they had no Shepherd. Aren’t we thankful that He had compassion on us when He saved us and that He continues to have compassion on us (Heb. 5:2) when we falter? Matthew 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Ezekiel 34:11 For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, [even] I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. 12 As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep [that are] scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. Friend, are you away from the Shepherd’s fold and struggling against the elements of this world? No doubt you hear the growls of the roaring lion (I Pet. 5:8) who seeks to devour you? However, if you listen closely, you can hear the voice of the Master who is seeking your return to the fold? He knows your name and recognizes your voice. He will hear your faintest cry and bear you up in His arms with love and compassion. The Shepherd went out to search for His sheep And all through the night on the rocky steep He searched till he found him With love bands he bound him And I was that one lost sheep Free Ebooks That You Can Download. An Expository Study on the Book of Colossians The I AMs of Jesus Your thoughts and Inquiries Contact@About-Him.Com Subscribe to this devotional? Subscribe to About-Him Devotional Keep Looking Up! Don and Marie Spooner About Him! Ministries The purpose of About-Him.Com is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ whom we preach as the Almighty God manifest in the flesh. It is our desire that everything presented on these pages increases your faith in our God and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Home About Us About His Word Bible Studies Flash Movies Guest Writers Humor Links Midi Music Songs of the Church Thoughts on the Life of Christ Weekly Devotions Audio Devotionals Topical Studies Contact Last modified: 10-09-2011 Contact us About Him! Ministries |