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The Shepherd’s Tender Care, January 19
I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner
that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which
need no repentance.
Luke 15:7
.
The beautiful parable that Christ gave of the one lost sheep, of the
shepherd that left the ninety and nine to go in search of that which was
lost, illustrates the care of the great Shepherd. He did not look carelessly
over the sheep of the fold, and say, “I have ninety and nine, and it will
cost me too much trouble to go in search of the straying one; let him come
back, and I will open the door of the sheepfold and let him in; but I cannot
go after him.” No.... He counts and recounts the flock, and when he is
certain that one sheep is lost, he slumbereth not. He leaves the ninety and
nine within the fold; however dark and tempestuous the night, however
perilous and unpleasant the way, however long and tedious the search, he
does not weary, he does not falter, until the lost is found.
But when it is found, does he act indifferently? Does he call the sheep,
and command the straying one to follow him? Does he threaten and beat
it, or drive it before him, recounting the bitterness and discomfiture and
anxiety that he has had on its account? No; he lays the weary, exhausted,
wandering sheep on his shoulder, and ... returns it to the fold. His gratitude
finds expression in melodious songs of rejoicing, and heavenly choirs
respond to the shepherd’s note of joy.... For “joy shall be in heaven over
one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons
which need no repentance.” Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd, and
know my sheep, and am known of mine” (
John 10:14
). Just as a shepherd
of earth knows his sheep, so does the chief Shepherd know His flock
that are scattered throughout the whole world.... “And ye, my flock, the
flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord God”
(
Ezekiel 34:31
).
However lowly, however elevated we may be, whether we are in the
shadow of adversity or in the sunshine of prosperity, we are His sheep,
the flock of His pasture, and under the care of the chief Shepherd.
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