A Shepherd's Joy

Luke 15:4

"What man of you, having a 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?"

        The shepherd was personally responsible for the sheep. If a sheep was lost the shepherd must at least bring the fleece home to show how it had died. These shepherds were experts at tracking, and could follow the straying sheep's footprints for miles across the hills. There was not a shepherd for whom it was not all in the day's work to risk his life for his sheep.

        Those whose flocks were safe would arrive home on time and bring news that one shepherd was still out on the mountain side searching for a sheep that was lost. The whole village would be upon the watch, and when, in the distance, they saw the shepherd striding home with the lost sheep across his shoulders, there would rise from the whole community a shout of joy and of thanksgiving.
        That is the picture Jesus drew of God. Jesus said, "that is what God is like." God is as glad when a lost sinner is found as a shepherd is when a strayed sheep is brought home. "God, knows the joy of finding His children that have gone astray. 

        Amen!!

Reading: (Luke 15:1-7)

               (Matt. 18:12-14)

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry