To begin this evening’s message, I would like to share a verse from the Old Testament. Isaiah 53:6 says, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” All of us have gone astray from God at some point in our life. Before we were saved through Jesus Christ, we were separated from God; and even now, those of us who are believers, still go astray sometimes. When we abide in the sight of our Great Shepherd, Jesus Christ, we are kept in the security of the flock; but sometimes we become distracted.
Have you ever been driving down the road on the way to church, and as you were coming around a curve, you were startled to see two huge saucers staring at you, attached to a head sticking through a fence? In case you are still suffering from shock about what that could have been, it was probably a cow. Cows have the company of other cows, and the luxury of being fed by the farmer each and every day; but it doesn’t seem to be enough. They get distracted by what’s on the other side of the fence.
This evening we are going to be looking at what happens when Christians go astray from the comfort of the flock, and how the Shepherd reacts to them. Many times we as Christians become dull to sin, and we act like sheep or cows. Like an electric fence, sin keeps on zapping us, but we eventually become accustomed to it and cross over to enter the dangers of the world. As we will see tonight, however, the Shepherd will react to us. How will He react? Hang on and we’ll find out in the parable ahead!
The Sheep Went Astray (v. 4)
4 What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?
Farmers, I know you can relate to this. I remember all the times that my dad and I had to run down a bull that broke loose, and was on a neighboring farm. The problem was that this big Brahma bull would usually be running us down instead. The reason why we went after the bull was because it was valuable to us; we could sell it for a profit. Therefore, we left all the other cows in the field for that one bull.
Jesus presents us with the picture of a shepherd whose sheep has gone astray. In ancient Israel shepherding was a major livelihood. Sheep provided people with “meat, milk, fat, wool, skins, and horns,”(1) many of the necessities of living. “The economic value of sheep stood in direct proportion to the amount of [guidance and protection] these beasts required.”(2)
The shepherd had to put forth a lot of time and effort to train a sheep to stay near him, and to remain in the flock. When the sheep went astray, the shepherd went after it because he didn’t want to lose his investment. He didn’t want all of the hard work that went into making an obedient sheep to go to waste. Therefore, the sheep was only valuable if it stayed with the flock.
Also, the shepherd realized that the dangers of the world could kill his sheep. Ezekiel 34:5-6, alludes to some of the evils that sheep face out in the world. These verses say, “They became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered. My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and on every high hill; yes, My flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth.” Sheep are subject to being killed by hungry animals, like ravenous wolves. They can wander on high mountains and fall into deep crevices and perish, never to be found again.
Jesus, who is our Shepherd, has a whole lot invested in us. We are His instruments to use in the ministry of the kingdom, and He doesn’t want to lose us. He knows that if we go astray that we will be spiritually attacked by the world; and that we could become of no use to Him if the world destroys our obedience to Christ.
The Sheep Is Chastened (v. 5)
5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
We just learned how the shepherd puts forth tremendous time and effort into making an obedient sheep. Why does a sheep have to be obedient? If he’s not obedient, then others will see him and follow his lead, and they too will be led away from the protection of the flock and the shepherd.
A woman visiting in Switzerland came to a sheepfold on one of her daily walks. Venturing in, she saw the shepherd seated on the ground with his flock around him. Nearby, on a pile of straw lay a single sheep, which seemed to be suffering. Looking closely, the woman saw that its leg was broken.
Her sympathy went out to the suffering sheep, and she looked up inquiringly to the shepherd as she asked how it happened. “I broke it myself,” said the shepherd sadly, and then explained, “Of all the sheep in my flock, this was the most wayward. It would not obey my voice and would not follow when I was leading the flock. On more than one occasion, it wandered to the edge of a perilous cliff. And not only was it disobedient itself, but it was leading other sheep astray.”
“Based on my experience with this kind of sheep, I knew I had no choice, so I broke its leg. The next day I took food and it tried to bite me. After letting it lie alone for a couple of days, I went back and it not only eagerly took the food, but also licked my hand and showed every sign of submission and affection. And now, let me say this. When this sheep is well, it will be the model sheep of my entire flock. No sheep will hear my voice so quickly nor follow so closely.”
Instead of leading the others away, it will be an example of devotion and obedience. In short, a complete change will come into the life of this wayward sheep. It will have learned obedience through its sufferings.” Many times it is the same in human experience. Through our suffering, God may be seeking to teach us obedience and reliance on His care.(3)
Verse 5 says, “And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders.” If you have ever seen the picture of the shepherd with the lamb lying across the back of his neck, the lamb is there because the shepherd has broken its leg. This is a technique similar to what we just learned. The sheep depends on the shepherd for its mode of travel and support; and thereby, learns to follow and trust the shepherd.
What we see being demonstrated here is chastisement, or correction. Can you recall a time when you may have left the comfort of the flock? Have you ever felt like you are far from God? Have you ever felt like things aren’t going quite right? Then maybe you are experiencing a time of discipline from the Lord. Jesus said in Revelation 3:19, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.” If you have left the Shepherd or the flock, then the Lord may be disciplining you. He may be showing you that you cannot live apart from the guidance and protection of the Great Shepherd.
The Sheep Is Found (vv. 6-7)
6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!” 7 I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.
In Ezekiel 20:37, we read, “I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant.” Every night after returning home from grazing, the shepherd would count the sheep of his flock to make sure that none were missing. He would have them all pass under his staff, or rod, as he numbered them.
When one turned up missing, the shepherd and his family realized he would have to go out in the middle of the night looking for the lost sheep. The shepherd braved the darkness, and the harsh elements. He climbed the hills and mountains in search of his lost sheep, risking life and limb; and while he was gone, his family was concerned for his safety.
Like this shepherd who pursued his lost sheep, Jesus will come after those of us who have gone astray. He will risk the darkness; not the darkness of night, but the darkness and evil of this world. He loves us so much that when He comes looking for us, He is willing to die for us.
Jesus Christ, the Great Shepherd, proved His love when He died on the cross. He came into this world of darkness to rescue all who are lost. Jesus said in Luke 19:10, “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” He will not only save those who are lost, but He will come after those of us who already know Him and have gone astray through backsliding; the Shepherd pursues those of the flock.
When the shepherd has found his sheep he returns home. His family rejoices because he found the missing sheep. They rejoice not only for the sheep which was lost, but also for the shepherd who made it home safely. Don’t think for a moment that Jesus’ heavenly Father wasn’t concerned when He sent His Son into the dark night of this world. When the Son returned, having overcome death and the grave; then all of heaven rejoiced, because Jesus had won the victory!
Time of Reflection
If you are not in a right relationship with Jesus Christ; if you don’t know Him as your Lord and Savior, or if you are a Christian who has gone astray; don’t think for a moment that Jesus isn’t searching for you. He is our Shepherd, and He is greatly concerned for our protection and well being.
Those of you who know the Lord and are experiencing a dry spell in your life; you might be going through a time of chastisement from the Shepherd. If you are having spiritual turmoil then surrender to the Shepherd today and return to the flock. If you have never known the Shepherd before, and the love and protection that He has for you, then hear His voice as He calls out to you. Listen to His voice and follow Him home. As the old gospel hymn says, “Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling; calling, O sinner, come home!”
NOTES
(1) Achtemier, Paul J., Th.D., Harper’s Bible Dictionary, (San Francisco: Harper and Row, Publishers, Inc.) 1985.
(2) Ibid.
(3) Michael P. Green, Illustrations for Biblical Preaching (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1997), 108.
