THE GOOD SHEPHERD AND HIS LOST SHEEP

THE GOOD SHEPHERD AND HIS LOST SHEEP

"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbours together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”– Luke 15:4–7 (ERV)

A shepherd had many sheep in his flock. He kept the sheep safe from wild animals by watching over them day and night. One day after taking inventory of the sheep, he discovered that one was missing. Then, the shepherd left the remaining sheep in a safe place and went to look for the missing one. He searched high in the mountains and far into the wilderness. When he finally found his sheep, the shepherd rejoiced. He put the sheep on his shoulders and carried it home. The shepherd called his friends together and told them how he had found his sheep. They celebrated together.

"I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." John 10:11 (KJV)

"Oh yes, he’s our God, and we’re the people he pastures, the flock he feeds" -Psalm 95:7 (MSG)

Jesus Christ is the good shepherd (John 10:11) and we are the sheep of His pasture (Psalms 95:7). Whenever we wander away from His flock, the shepherd go into the wilderness to look for us. He does not give up on us when we backslide or went astray from the Way. The good shepherd does not condemn us. His loving concern for the lost sheep is steadfast and sure. He will seek far and wide to bring us back home to Himself. And when we repent and return to Him, heaven is set agog into lavish celebration and rejoicing. (Luke 15:7)

Friends, are you among the ninety-nine (99) laying safely with the good shepherd or are you the lost/missing sheep in the flock of Jesus Christ? Is your soul lost in the wilderness of life? Are you a backslider? Has the wolf of riches, ungodly friends etc lured you away from the tender care of the good shepherd? You are trending on a dangerous path and you do not seem to understand. The wicked wolf of this world will destroy you soon if you are not rescued from its evil grip on time. Things may appear to be going on very well for you today but please don't forget that lost sheep usually end up as a prey in the wolf's den. Please let the good shepherd rescue you today before it will be too late. The good news is that It does not matter how far you have walked away into the wilderness, the good shepherd is eagerly looking forward to bringing you back home. Please repent today and walk into the ever-waiting outstretched arms of the good shepherd. 

"Like a good shepherd, he takes care of his people. He gathers them like lambs in his arms. He holds them close, while their mothers walk beside him". - Isaiah 40:11 (ERV)

"There Are Ninety And Nine That Safely Lay" is  wonderful Christian hymn which summarises how the Good Shepherd care for lost sheep and go in search of them despite all odds. This hymn was composed in 1874 by Elizabeth Cecilia Clephane. As we meditate on the lyrics of this hymn, I trust God to give us the heart of the Good Shepherd and use us mightily to rescue every lost sheep in our communities, villages, cities, and nations this week in Jesus name. 

THERE WERE NINETY AND NINE THAT SAFELY LAY

There were ninety and nine that safely lay
In the shelter of the flock,
But one was out on the hills away,
Far off in the cold and dark;
Away on the mountains wild and bare,
Away from the tender Shepherd’s care.

“Lord, Thou hast here Thy ninety and nine;
Are they not enough for Thee?”
But the Shepherd made answer: “This of Mine
Has wandered away from Me;
And although the road be rough and steep,
I go to the desert to find My sheep.”

But none of the ransomed ever knew
How deep were the waters crossed;
Nor how dark was the night which the Lord passed through
Ere He found His sheep that was lost.
Out in the bleak desert, He heard its cry—
All bleeding and helpless, and ready to die.

“Lord, whence are those blood drops all the way
 That mark out the mountain’s track?”
“They were shed for one who had gone astray
 Ere the Shepherd could bring him back.”
“Lord, whence are Thy hands so rent and torn?”
“They’re pierced tonight by many a thorn.”

And all through the mountains, thunder-riven,
And up from the rocky steep,
There arose a cry to the gate of heaven,
“Rejoice! I have found My sheep!”
And the angels echoed around the throne,
“Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own!”

My prayer for you and my humble self this week is that God will pour into us fresh passion for souls so that every lost sheep bleeding, wounded, and about to die in this generation would be brought back into the tender care of the Good Shepherd - Jesus Christ. And we shall not be satisfied with our 99 until we have rescued the missing 1 from the wicked grip of Hell in Jesus name. Amen.

Good day and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

For more articles, please visit -
http:// okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com
Twitter: @tammytaiwo
Instagram: @lawontaiwo
Facebook: Okanlawon Taiwo