[007]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM - A SHEPHERD LEFT HIS COMFORT ZONE
Shepherds and sheep feature quite often in the biblical record and Jesus used parables and illustrations involving sheep.
This poem was developed from a comment a Convention speaker made when teaching on the Lost Sheep. The comment was that the shepherd left his comfort zone to go to meet the sheep’s needs. I was sitting on a seat in Mulgrave Rd, in the city where I live, near a Vacuum Cleaning shop thinking into it, and where it was partly written.
Care is commitment, and a committed shepherd cares for those in his care. So often we are unfaithful in caring for others or praying for their concerns, but the Lord is faithful, and His Shepherd role I focussed on here.
Of course this story of the lost sheep came from the trilogy of lost things – the sheep, the coin and the son and this is the relevant portion – {{Luke 15:4-6 “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has LOST ONE OF THEM, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it and when he has found it, he LAYS IT ON HIS SHOULDERS, rejoicing? When he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbours, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I HAVE FOUND MY SHEEP WHICH WAS LOST!’”}}
The shepherd would only know the sheep was lost when he returned home and counted them back into the sheep pen. It was well on dark and in that night he left to find the lost sheep. The Lord came to this world’s night to rescue us, pay the price for sin and carry us home to the Father’s sheep pen. It is a lovely story and I tried to get that thought in the poem.
The poem has a more unusual rhyme scheme you will notice when you check it out.
Jesus is the DOOR to the sheepfold. He is the GOOD SHEPHERD of the sheep.
{{John 10:9 I am the door. If anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find PASTURE.
John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly. John 10:11 I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD. THE GOOD SHEPHERD LAYS DOWN HIS LIFE FOR THE SHEEP.
John 10:14 I am the good shepherd and I know My own, and My own know Me, John 10:15 even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father, and I lay down My life for the sheep.”}}
A SHEPHERD LEFT HIS COMFORT ZONE
One sheep was lost. The night was bleak,
And it was far from morning dawn.
That early night, to go to seek,
The shepherd left his comfort zone
And searched in earnest for his own -
That sheep apart, and all forlorn.
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At times ‘midst joy there was despair
Through waywardness among the sheep -
That cost to him was his to bear.
Concern there was for food to find,
And straggling sheep who fell behind.
But for the lost ones, oft did weep.
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This illustration Jesus gave
Had implications for Him too,
As He’s the Shepherd who would save.
To earth He came the lost to seek,
To ransom them, those lambs so weak.
Their helplessness became His due.
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When on the cross the Shepherd died,
He met the penalty for sin -
For wickedness, was crucified.
But in that shrouded darkness great
That Shepherd entered sin’s black state,
And fought the fight that He did win.
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And that Good Shepherd, from death raised,
Lives evermore in glory land,
And worthy always to be praised.
His journey ended with success
With rescued sheep in happiness,
Upheld by love’s extended hand.
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Without the Saviour you are lost
And stranded in the darkest night.
His search for you was at great cost.
Will you respond to selfless love;
Entrust your care to Him above,
Who rescues you in your sad plight?
Ron Ferguson 28 June 1999 8-8-8-8-8-8 ABACCB