THE RUNAWAY SHEEP
Have you heard the story of Shrek, the merino sheep that had evaded capture and shearing for six years? When he was finally discovered in his high mountain cave of New Zealand by musterer Ann Scanlan, he was almost unrecognizable as a sheep. The first thing his rescuer did was pin back his wool so he could see to walk. There was such an interest in Shrek’s return that the owner kept him in a pen for weeks so reporters and television stations could broadcast the amazing return of the lost sheep.
And then, on live television, world champion shearer Peter Casserly shaved off six years of matted wool. As the shearer worked, he laid Shrek on his side with a foot of wool as his bed.
How much is Shrek’s story like our story, for "we all like sheep have gone astray." But Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross removes all of our sin and guilt that makes us unrecognizable as children of God. This is what we remember at communion-- that the Good Shepherd "bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls."