[178 ]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – LOST THREE THINGS - LOST ONE SHEEP
What are the best-known parables the Lord Jesus gave? I suppose there could be some debate about that but for me, I think The Prodigal Son, The Sower and The Good Samaritan. The Lost Sheep is near the top. Two of those I have featured in three poems under one roof called “LOST THREE THINGS”.
For the purposes of Sermon Central I have split those three poems into three separate poems, definitely because of size. They are The Lost Sheep; The Lost Coin; The Lost Son. On this occasion I will do The Lost Sheep.
Sheep and shepherding feature a lot in the bible. In fact they are among the most common images. Many Old Testament characters had flocks of sheep. One reason why sheep are so important is for sacrifice and all that leading to the Lamb of God. The prophets often alluded to sheep and God as the Shepherd of Israel.
The great Shepherd Psalm is Psalm 23. Note these verses – the introduction – {{Psalm 23:1 “THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD.”}} I shall not want. The sheep sometimes went astray and needed to be restored – {{Psalm 23:4 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for You are with me. YOUR ROD AND YOUR STAFF, they comfort me.”}}
Of course the real basis for this poem is the parable the Lord told – {{Luke 15:3-7 He told them this parable, saying, “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!’ I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”}}
The gospel application is most often applied to this poem; about a lost person coming to salvation and being found. That is fine used that way, but I suggest it is not the primary meaning.
The sheep was owned. The coin was owned. The son was owned. They had all gone astray and then returned from where they left but they were all owned. These parables are more about restoration of one wayward object that got itself lost.
In the Christian walk it is easy to slip from the path (sheep); to roll away (coin); to drop the testimony and fall into sin (son) but they were all loved and precious. They all had ownership.
The poem retells the story with a bit of addition. I hope you like it.
Let us not miss this overriding fact – {{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”}}
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LOST - THREE THINGS
[A] LOST - ONE SHEEP - THE LOST SHEEP
A sheep had wandered from the rest,
And left behind the ninety-nine;
Had not considered what was best;
Had tracked no pre-determined line.
But soon it knew that it was lost,
And separated from the flock -
For separation ends in cost
As it absorbs each pain and knock.
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At dusk the pale light grew so cold,
And dark the mantle of the night;
Now isolated from the fold;
No watchful shepherd’s oversight.
A fear began to seize that sheep -
A fear of deep uncertainty;
Dark terror soon began to creep,
Confounding its tranquillity.
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Now in its panic-stricken state,
It lost all touch of common sense.
Its energy did not abate,
So rush it did through brambles dense.
Because of thorns and rocks so dark,
It suffered cuts and bruises too.
Its headlong rush did leave its mark;
Its wilfulness was paid its due.
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Just ninety-nine accounted for
That afternoon in fading light,
So once again he checked the score,
The shepherd understood his plight.
Each sheep was his for special care,
Compassion overruling all;
Their joy and hurt would truly share;
Their need and pain would be his call.
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Then in that self-same darkened hour,
Prepared the shepherd to depart.
A shepherd will not ever cower,
Concern imprinted on his heart.
The danger of that night could not
Deter the shepherd from his task.
But he would search out every spot,
Until the sheep was in his grasp.
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The motivation that drove him,
Was his concern for that lost sheep.
His search, determined not by whim,
Was demonstrated love, so deep.
And so he found that one astray,
And gathered it with tender care.
Through that dark night he’d wend his way,
And homeward went that happy pair.
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But see that shepherd now progress,
The sheep upon his shoulders laid.
Forgotten - former hurt and stress;
Recovered now - that sheep waylaid.
It rested in contented peace;
No need is there - it nothing lacks.
Upheld in strength that will not cease,
His gracious care anoints its tracks.
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Then in the dead of night, arrived
The shepherd, with the sheep he’d found.
They saw his joy had been revived,
And that the sheep was safe and sound.
“Rejoice with me!” the cry went forth;
“Come, in this joy with me, relate!
This one is found that I had sought!
So friends and neighbours, celebrate!”
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Good Shepherd - Jesus Christ is He,
Who gave His life so willingly.
Despising shame, He searched for me,
And lifted me so tenderly.
And on His shoulders lifted high
This one He saved, and lets me lie.
To Him always, I’ll ever fly,
Protected from all dangers nigh.
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11 - 13 July 1998 Ronald Ferguson 8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8. Rhyme is A-B-A-B-C-D-C-D except the last stanza where it is A-A-A-A-B-B-B-B