THE SORROW OF ONE!

THE SORROW OF ONE!

Matt 18:12-14

12 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?

13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.

14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

           More of that sheep! That’s how Jesus describes the difference in value of the lost one. It doesn’t make sense to anyone but a shepherd. While everyone else is quoting the proverb which declares that a bird in the hand is worth more than two in the bush, the shepherd is grieving the loss of one. One is lost!

           The shepherd is not consoled by the thought that he still has ninety nine faithful sheep. These are not discounted or devalued but his mind is sharply focused on his sorrow for one. It ruins his sleep and sours his most pleasant thoughts. One is lost!

           His love for you is like the love of that shepherd. Matthew says He goes into the mountains to seek the sheep. Luke says that he goes into the wilderness until he finds it. This speaks of great care and the disdain of inconvenience. No effort is too great because the value of this one sheep has increased above all the others. One is lost!

Isa 53:6

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Dear Lord, thank you for seeking me and finding me and restoring me. AMEN