The Good Shepherd
In the land of Palestine there were many shepherds. It was the work of a shepherd to care for the sheep, to protect them from wild animals and to lead them to the places where they could find water to drink and grass to eat. The shepherd often stayed out in the open with them at night and slept under the stars. A good shepherd knew his sheep by name, loved them and ran any risk to protect and care for them.
One time the Lord Jesus talked about sheep and shepherds to help the people understand about heavenly things. He said, "I am the Good Shepherd; the Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep," John 10:11. He meant that the work He had come to do was like that of a shepherd who protected the sheep even if it cost him his life. The sheep for whom the Lord Jesus gave His life were people. It was for the sins of the whole world that Jesus gave up His life on the cross. Thinking of Him as our Good Shepherd helps us to see His great love for everyone in the world.
Great crowds followed the Lord Jesus wherever He went. People who were sick came, hoping He would heal them. People who were lonely and afraid came to hear His words of comfort. People who knew they had sinned against the Holy God came, hoping to hear how they might be forgiven. Some people came only to criticize and find fault. One time the leaders of the Jews, the Pharisees and scribes saw others in the crowd whom they thought were not as good as themselves. They talked with each other and said, "Just look! These people are sinners, and He makes them welcome. He even eats with them!" The Lord Jesus knew what they were thinking, so He began to talk to them in parables or stories. These stories were about earthly things which they could understand. But Jesus told them in order to teach them about heavenly things which they could not yet understand.
The first parable or story which He told them was about a shepherd who had a flock of one hundred sheep. He led them day after day to find water to drink and grass to eat. He looked after then when they were sick and protected them from danger. One night as they came back to the sheepfold, he counted them and found that one was missing. Of course he still had ninety-nine that were safe with him in the sheepfold, but he could not leave that one little lamb out in the cold and darkness alone. So he left the warmth and the shelter and went out in the cold, dark night to find the poor, silly little sheep that was lost. He finally found it, frightened and cold. He picked it up and put it on his shoulders and went home, rejoicing. Then he called his friends and neighbours and said to them, "I want you to rejoice with me, for I've found my sheep that was lost."
When the Lord Jesus had finished telling this to the scribes and Pharisees who were criticizing and murmuring, He said, "And I want to tell you, that up in Heaven there is great rejoicing over one sinner who turns away from his sin."
Then He told them another parable. This one was about a woman who had ten pieces of money. One day she went to look at them and found there were only nine pieces! One of them had been lost. She looked and looked for it. She even lighted a candle to look in all the corners and under the furniture. She got out her broom and swept the whole house carefully, watching and watching for her silver coin. Finally she found it, and she was oh, so happy to have the ten pieces of silver again. She called her friends and her neighbours and said to them, "I must tell you. I've found my lost coin. Rejoice with me." Then Jesus said, "The woman was happy when she found her coin, but I tell you that in Heaven there is great rejoicing over one sinner who turns away from his sin."
Julia Shipley is a committed Christian worshiping and serving in her local church. She has a heart for the young children and the youth believing the word of God is the final authority. For more information visit http://www.quick-christian-resources.com
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