“The Lord Finds the Sheep Which Are Lost”(Luke 15:1-7 )

Luke 15:1-7  “The Lord Finds the Sheep Which Are Lost”

 

In today’s text we read the parable of our Jesus searching for the sheep which are lost.  We learn from this that God sees everyone in this world as a lost person.  We can see the truth of Jesus’ love that He gives His life to find the lost ones in today’s text.  Today, as we think about this passage, I pray that you may be able to know the heart of God for human life.  May God’s grace fill your hearts.

 

First, there are lost sheep in this world.  Ezekiel 34:31 says, ““You are My flock, the flock of My pasture; you are men, and I am your God,” says the Lord GOD.'”  In today’s text “Was lost” means people in the world absolutely do not know where to go.  For example, let me tell you a story.  There was a big playground in a village and so many children were playing.  The playground was fabulous, with all kinds of different equipment on which to play.  All the children played on the different rides as they wanted and did not know time was passing.  As they all had fun playing and laughing, evening came.  The sun went down and the darkness came, so every child began to go back home to their father’s house.  A homeless child who was all by himself was standing in the dark.  During the day time many children were there to play together, however as the sun went down, this child had no place to go.  At that time, he was all alone and lonesome and became fearful with tears in his eyes.  He thought about this as he had no where to go and no one to welcome him in this darkness.  Beloved saints!  I pray that you understand this story well.  In these days, how many are lost such as this, in the multitudes of people in this world?  They enjoy worldly things, get married, make money, and become wealthy and enjoy amusement and entertainment, just like children fascinated with the equipment in the playground. 

However, somehow, the days of fun passes and the sun down of life comes, a person heart sinks down, how did the night come so quickly?  I think you know so well what I’m trying to say.  Before the sun goes down, before the late night comes we must accept the true Shepherd, Jesus Christ, Who leads us home.  I believe we must accept Him as our personal Savior and Lord.  If we see the world today, there are so many of the Lord’s sheep which are lost.  These poor spirits can not get out of the ditch which they have fallen into because of this world of fun.  Such are these spirits which are so numerous and they are very close to us; in our homes, next door to us, and on the streets.  Some sheep are suffering, caught by the thorn bush or some are caught between the rocks and can not get out, so they are crying for help.  Jesus says this in John 10:16, let’s read it together, “And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.”  He says there are some sheep which must come in to this fold (church).  Some sheep can not get out of the ditch of lust, some from between the rocks of arrogance, and all kind of the nets of sin.  These sheep need to come into Jesus’ fold.  Therefore Jesus says this lost sheep is more precious than the ninety-nine sheep.

 

Secondly, Let us think about why the sheep were lost?  It was because they committed sin.  In Genesis Chapter 3 we are shown the reason that Adam and Eve were driven out of the Garden of Eden.  The reason is that they disobeyed the voice of God, the Shepherd and followed more the word of the devil, Satan.  This was where the problem began.  What has followed ever since then?  God’s wrath and death has followed after it.  Likewise for the sheep, the ninety-nine sheep were protected and cared for by the shepherd and eating grass next to Him, however why did the lost sheep lose the way by himself?  Why is this?  The shepherd says, let’s go then go, don’t do it then don’t do it, even though some grass looks delicious if the shepherd says don’t eat it then we should not.  However, this lost sheep boasts in himself, in other words disobeys the voice of the shepherd.  This is called “sin.”  The problem does not end here; after it gets lost the fact is that he will be downfallen forever.  For example, many years ago I read this in the newspaper.  It was reported that so many deer that roamed freely in the field died by eating fern in Jeju Island.  They could have saved their lives if they knew which ones were poisonous.  Those sheep who even ignored the voice of the Shepherd, how can they know which food is poison?  We need to look back and examine our lives.  Do we follow the word of Jesus Christ, the Shepherd?  It is very dangerous when we search a strange place for better pasture and wander around with a restless heart.  We need to know what seems good and pleasant to the eyes is not, but there will be a trap behind it.  What will happen if the sheep leave their shepherd and just follow after the grass they see and ignore the trap?  The Bible said that after Adam and Eve realized they were deceived by the snake they were afraid of meeting God in the cool of the day.  They sewed fig leaves together as they hid, trembling behind a tree.  Isn’t this the same experience that the lost sheep had when they left the shepherd?  Beloved saints!  I believe today, that we all listen well and follow the voice of Jesus Christ, our good Shepherd.  I bless you in the name of our Lord that you become blessed sheep who follow as Jesus says, “go this way” then you follow the same way.

 

Thirdly, find the sheep which are lost.  We see the shepherd rejoices for the lost sheep which was found.  Let’s read together Luke 15:5-7, “And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.  And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'  I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.”  Yes! It is like this.  Jesus carried the cross to find and lead us home.  I believe it is grace bestowed upon us for His labor as His body was ripped and broken.  When I think of Him; my heart is on fire.  Since we receive great love and grace, we too try our best to find the Lord’s sheep which are lost.  For example, let’s pretend we have lost our child.  How would our hearts be?  Who would there be to help us find our child?  It would be the one who physically comes to help us look for him, wouldn’t it?  Let’s pretend no one cared to come. 

How disappointed we would be that no one cared to find our lost child?  It is the same with our Lord.  There is a parable of the lost son in Luke 15:11-31.  The second son left the father with his portion of the father’s money and wasted his possessions in prodigal living.  The prodigal son left his father for a few long years.  However his father waited for his second son to come home, day and night without sleeping, looking in the direction he went out.  Today and the next day he waited for his son.  This is the father’s mind.  When the father saw his son returning home, he had compassion on him, ran and fell on his neck and kissed him (Luke 15:20).  The father did not ask about his past but killed the fatted calf and enjoyed it with his friends.  Our Lord’s heart is the same as this.  Luke 15:7 says, “I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.”  I believe while God allows us to have good health, we should keep Jesus as our Shepherd and give God the glory by finding the lost sheep which are out of the fold.