The Good Shepherd
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
John 10:11. {LHU 201.1}
Christ . . . likens Himself to a shepherd. "I am the good shepherd," He
declares; "the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." "I am the good
shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me,
even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep" (John
10:11, 14, 15).
As an earthly shepherd knows his sheep, so does the divine Shepherd know His
flock that are scattered throughout the world. "Ye my flock, the flock of my
pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord God" (Eze. 34:31).
In the parable of the lost sheep, the shepherd goes out to search for one
sheep--the very least that can be numbered. Discovering that one of his
sheep is missing, he does not look carelessly upon the flock that is safely
housed, and say, I have ninety and nine, and it will cost me too much
trouble to go in search of the straying one. Let him come back, and I will
open the door of the sheepfold and let him in. No; no sooner does the sheep
go astray than the shepherd is filled with grief and anxiety. Leaving the
ninety and nine in the fold, he goes in search of the straying one. However
dark and tempestuous the night, however perilous and uncertain the way,
however long and tedious the search, he does not falter until the lost is
found.
With what relief does he hear in the distance its first faint cry! Following
the sound, he climbs the steepest heights; he goes to the very edge of the
precipice, at the risk of his own life. Thus he searches while the cry,
growing fainter, tells him that his sheep is ready to die.
And when the straying one is found, does he command it to follow him? . . .
No; he lays the exhausted sheep on his shoulder, and with cheerful gratitude
that his search has not been in vain, he returns to the fold. His gratitude
finds expression in songs of rejoicing. And "when he cometh home, he calleth
together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for
I have found my sheep which was lost" (Luke 15:6). {LHU 201.6}
So when the lost sinner is found by the Good Shepherd, heaven and earth
unite in rejoicing and thanksgiving. For "joy shall be in heaven over one
sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which
need no repentance" (verse 7) (Gospel Workers, pp. 181, 182).
In our work, individual effort will accomplish much more than can be
estimated. It is for the want of this that souls are perishing. One soul is
of infinite value; Calvary speaks its worth. One soul won to Christ will be
instrumental in winning others, and there will be an ever-increasing result
of blessing and salvation (ibid., p. 184).
>From Lift Him Up - Page 201
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