The Road from Lostness

The Road from Lostness

By Richard Lineberry

We’re probably all familiar with the parallel of the lost sheep from Luke 15. The one sheep strays away from the flock and the shepherd leaves the 99 others long enough to search and find it and bring it home.

Jesus, of course, is the Good Shepherd who not only knows each of us by name but loves us. A good shepherd has great time and energy invested in the flock and certainly doesn't want any losses.

In Ezekiel 34, the prophet rebukes the “shepherds” of God’s people who were negligent in their leadership duties. They let their sheep (God’s people) wander around and be vulnerable to predators. They were poorly led and abused. God spoke harshly against them. They certainly were bad shepherds.

Jesus, praise the Lord, is the Good Shepherd. He lays down His life for us, not just once, but continually. When He finds us initially (our spiritual rebirth), He starts the long trip of taking us home. He places us with the rest of the flock (other believers) and heals the wounds we received from the kingdom of darkness.

Of course the former lost sheep has to cooperate with the program and not run away anymore. The Good Shepherd knows where to lead and the good sheep is traveling on the road out of lostness.

As we come into God’s Presence this morning, let’s expose our thanks for the skill of the Good Shepherd and ask for new grace to follow and know Him.