FOUND!

FOUND!

Luke 15:4-7

4 What man of you, having an 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?

5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

7 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.

          In John Newton’s classic hymn, Amazing Grace, one familiar line is “I once was lost but now I’m found!” I think we often place ourselves in the position of the searching shepherd who anxiously and persistently goes after one lamb until he finds it. But today I’m thinking of what means to be lost.

          Was the sheep aware that he was lost due to his own foolishness? Sheep are notoriously dependent upon the shepherd. Sheep lack discretion and never seem to consider the danger in lusting after greener grass. They are self-focused and wander away from the safety of the flock. When God said “all we, like sheep, have gone astray” (Isaiah 53:6) he didn’t need to explain himself. Everyone in that shepherding culture knew what he was talking about.

          Let us, for a moment, imagine that the sheep suddenly becomes aware of his lost condition. Perhaps he has become entangled in the briars. His wool is hopelessly twisted and each attempt at self-salvation only results in frustration and pain. Moreover, he is in very unfamiliar territory and can’t perceive the proper way home. He is gripped with fear that any escape route he chooses might actually lead him farther from safety. Even worse is the scuffle and screech of the predators encircling him. Being lost is full of terrors! His only hope is to cry out for rescue.

          The shepherd didn’t leave the ninety-and-nine because he thought they were unimportant! No, he left them in safety but the lost was in danger. It needed to be found. Was the lost sheep aware that a search had already begun? The despair of being lost would soon explode into exuberant joy!

Luke 15:6-7

6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

7 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.

Consider the cripple beggar sitting at the Beautiful Gate, unable to enter in. Peter and John is greeted by him and Peter explains that, while they have no silver, they had something much more valuable. Taking the man by the hand, they lifted him up and his crippled feet were healed.  

Acts 3:7-8

7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

Dear Lord, I have known the joy of being found and of terror turned to peace. Let me seek the lost and find them. AMEN