How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? (Matt. 18:12 KJV)
According to the Scriptures, “The Lord Jesus came to seek and save the lost.” (Luke 19:10 KJV). It is a painful and hurtful feeling to lose a precious item. Sheep are dare and costly to the Shepherd. There is a dare and special relationship between the Sheep and the Shepherd. A relationship that is special and preferred. The Shepherd lovingly and carefully nurse and cater for flock.
It is typical therefore for the Shepherd to reckon and account for every sheep every day. About the sheep, the Bible says of the Lord Jesus Christ; “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.” Notice, He knows His sheep; he can speak and account for the sheep. He knows the state and status of every sheep. He can speak for and about every sheep. This is a unique and special attribute of the Shepherd. He knows every one of the sheep of the flock and has special care and interest for each of them. He is as concerned for one as he is for another.
On a certain occasion, Jesus said to Zacchaeus, “make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house.” (Luke 19:5 KJV). a man marked and considered a notorious sinner by the community but Jesus (The Good Shepherd cared for him differently). About Jesus’ visit to Zacchaeus house, the Bible says, “when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, that he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.” But Jesus said, “This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:9-10 KJV). Jesus did not share the sentiment of the people about Zacchaeus being a sinner but rather as a sheep lost but now found. This is a unique and loving attribute of the Shepherd. He is loving and compassionate about the sheep and is committed to bring the sheep back to the fold.
It is important to note that it is painful and tragic for the sheep to be lost. This is the experience of every lost sheep: the lost sheep is vulnerable, defenseless and open to the debauchery of the predator. It is about this dangerous and hazardous exposure that the Shepherd is most concerned. The Shepherd cares for the wellness and wellbeing of the Sheep from the aggression and onslaught of the enemy. When the Sheep is found, The Bible says, “he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.” (Matt. 18:13 KJV). The rejoicing of the Shepherd over the found Sheep than the ninety and nine was not of preference but rather of reference to the relief and reprieve of finding the sheep alive.
Beloved, let us keep the flock and stay in the fold. There is imminent danger and hazard for the strayed sheep; the wolf does not spare the sheep rather it devours and consumes the sheep. When we abide in the sheepfold, the care and the attention of the Shepherd provides grace, comfort and security for the Sheep and there is peace and rejoicing in the Shepherd because of the wellness and safety of every Sheep. None shall be lost in Jesus Name. (Amen)
