The Shepherd, the sheep and the children

The Shepherd, the sheep and the children

Great blessings to you, dear family members. This fine day, we want to look at two parts of Scripture. First is the parable of the lost sheep, and the second is Jesus’ instructions for us to be like little children.

Reading first from Luke 15:1-7  Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders  and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

Before Jesus told this parable, the Pharisees and teachers of the law were as usual observing Him carefully with judgmental eyes, looking to see where they could criticize him because they were jealous of his popularity. Seeing Jesus converse freely with tax collectors and sinners, they muttered to each other scornfully. In their eyes, they were far better and holier than everyone else, and to even contemplate walking and eating and talking with the outcasts of society was incomprehensible to them. However, through this parable, Jesus was telling them that they were also sheep that belonged to Him, although they were lost for a while.

The important lesson for us here is that we too are sheep belonging to Jesus, and when we are lost or drift far away from Him, He looks earnestly for us and when He finds us, He is overjoyed as are all the angels in Heaven. In John 10:14, He further says “I am the good Shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know Me.” As the good Shepherd, He is not willing that any of His sheep is lost, and in fact, He laid down His life for His sheep, for us, so that we might be safe and have eternal life. He does not look at our past but picks us up where we are and delights that we were lost but are now found.  In our relationship with Him, it is always comforting and meaningful to remember Him as our Good Shepherd who looks out for us.

The second portion of Scripture today is from Mark 10:13-16 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.  But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.  Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them

In this scene, we see the disciples trying to stop people from bringing their young children to Jesus for Him to bless them. The Lord is indignant and tells them to let all the children come. This picture of our Lord Jesus always making time to love and bless little children is one of the most comforting in all Scripture. Our Lord Jesus goes on to say that we must become like little children to enter the kingdom of Heaven.

Now many of us have grown up and we have many worries in life and after life, but we would do well to set some set some time aside, remember ourselves as a little child coming to Jesus and trusting Him to take care of us, to bring us to Heaven one day. Little children believe easily. Their faith is simple and strong. Jesus said “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” He also said “No one who comes to Him will he turn away.” Just believe that like a little child, and trust in Jesus to take care of us in this life and the life to come.

May the Lord help us remember these two visions, of Himself as a good Shepherd and as a loving Lord to little children, including us, as we seek to trust Him and follow Him till the end.