Monday, November 08, 2010

God, the great shepherd



The longer I walk with God the more I see his heart and desire for each of us. He is passionately in love with every man, woman, boy and girl on planet earth. He is seeking after each one of us to show us his love and give us his gifts. As Paul writes, "he desires that all men be saved and know him."

God is the great shepherd always looking for his lost sheep; always pursuing the people he died for. Here is the story Jesus told of just such a shepherd,

"Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn't you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, and when you got home call in your friends and neighbors, saying, 'Celebrate with me! I've found my lost sheep!' Count on it—there's more joy in heaven over one sinner's rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue."

I'm fascinated by those last words, "there's more joy in heaven over one sinner's rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue." All of heaven celebrates the redemption of each one rescued from wandering.

Some would say that the shepherd is not concerned for everyone, but that's not the heart of the shepherd I read about in the bible. I see a God in love with his creation, seeking, searching, looking for his lost ones....for every lost one. I wish we could see the celebration in heaven when someone trusts Christ. I wish we could see the joy that resounds when one lamb is found. If we could get the heartbeat of heaven for those who are wandering it would dramatically change how we view those lost sheep.

I'd like to talk more about the problems of wandering, but perhaps another day. Today I'm just thinking about an amazing shepherd looking for lost sheep. If you're lost you need to know someone is looking for you. Someone loves you. Do you want to create a stir in heaven? Come home, come back, trust Christ and heaven will resound with celebration. God's in the business of looking for lost people.

Are you lost and wandering? Someone is looking for you.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I often picture Christ as the shepheard. I see that this is an old entry but I happened across it when looking for clip art. But I enjoyed it's message and call to the lost, so thanks. God bless!