THE SHEEP AND THE SHEPHERD

“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” (Isa. 53:6).

The Psalmist declared, “I have gone astray like a lost sheep” (Ps. 119:176). As Jesus, “saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd” (Matt. 9:36). “They have all turned aside” (Rom. 3:12).

Thankfully, we have a loving, merciful, and gracious God. Christ is our scapegoat which takes away our iniquities (cf. Lev. 16:5-22; 2 Cor. 5:21). Christ came to seek and to save that which was lost (cf. Luke 19:10, 15:3-7). “Seek Your servant, For I do not forget Your commandments” (Ps. 119:176). Let us rejoice in the fact that God loved us enough to call us back to Him through the Gospel (cf. 2 Thes. 2:13-14). There are those that need to be found and some are our own brethren (cf. Jm. 5:19-20; Gal. 6:1-2).

Christ is the Good Shepherd that gives the abundant life for His sheep (John 10). Let us hear His voice and follow the Shepherd. Remember, that there is one flock and one Shepherd (John 10:16; cf. Eph. 1:20-23, 4:4-5). Let us invite, encourage, and seek those who are lost so that they too may be added to the one flock.

Trent Thrasher