The Good Shepherd never loses track of His sheep and He will never have His children snatched out of His hand. What a comforting truth to stand upon. This principle is taught in the tenth chapter of John.
John 10:7-18
“Jesus therefore said to them again, “Truly, truly I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All those who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they would have life, and might have it abundantly. “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. He who is a hireling, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, beholds the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and flees, and the wolf snatches them, and scatters them.
“He flees because he is a hireling, and is not concerned about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know My own, and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.
“And I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they shall hear My voice; and they shall become one flock, with one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.
“No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.””
The Good Shepherd Lays His Life Down For His Sheep
There is a distinct difference in allotted wandering and never being known. The first permits children to stray, the second is not being an heir of God (Romans 9). This article reflects the first difference. God disciplines His children for their good, that they may share in His holiness (Hebrews 12:11). I believe this discipline includes plunging into deep immortality in order to bring about a life change one would not learn otherwise.
Christ’s sacrifice was exclusively for His sheep and His sacrifice will never go void, just like His Word. This is labored three times in Luke 15. This detail should not escape our notice. In the final parable, we read about a young son who leaves his father’s estate with the total sum of his inheritance. In fetterless manner, he squanders every last cent on hedonistic desires.
Christ died for a very specific purpose. His death sealed His children with perfect atonement. It was never a free-for-all, open-ended gift. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Jesus is both the Good Shepherd and the keeper of the sheep who were entrusted to Him. His death perfectly secured His children. None can be snatched from His grasp because His gift is irrevocable.
As Isaiah 53:5 tells us, “But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.”
Only by His death can we enter into life.
Longing
The son’s return began on the heels of debauchery and deprivation. His homecoming came about because he remembered the goodness of his father. The longing of eating pig pods lead to the longing of his past security. Without a doubt, the crowd Jesus spoke to would understand the full gravity of the lowly state the son found himself in. Pork was forbidden in the Mosaic law. It brought about revulsion and repugnance.
The son was indeed at his lowest. He finally recognized his desperate need for his father. Therefore he humbly embarked back to the safety of his father’s dwelling. He sets foot, perishing from hunger, dressed in rags and yet perfectly on time. The parable begins its conclusion when the father sees his son far off.
The son was ready to die to self.
The Return
Humiliated and humbled, he took measured steps towards familiar ground. The wisest decision he made was making his way back to his father's arms after great abandonment. Click To Tweet Yet he did not finish the ignominy of his plight alone.
While he was a long way out, the father sees him. Compassion moves him and we read that the father runs to meet his son. Take note, nurturing affection awaits those who return. No doubt, the father looked longingly towards the horizon in anticipation of his son’s return because he pined to be back in fellowship with him again.
The reunion began with confession of sin. He declares his unworthiness. “But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet;” (Luke 15:22). His father welcomed him openly with mercy and tender forgiveness. “For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little” (Luke 7:47). Indisputably, the headliner of this love story is the father. We see great love bestowed upon the son after his residence in darkness.
God's wisdom in letting us deviate leads us to repentance. Click To TweetThe son’s hope lied in the generosity of his father’s willing employment, certainly not in anticipation of redemption. He knew he was a man unworthy of his father’s affection, the shell of his former self. But his desperation birthed the yearning of his father’s confines. He likely never imagined being at his father’s table again.
Those of Us Waiting
For those who are watching a wandering sheep, do not lose hope. Remember, they have chosen this path because they have forgotten to fear the Lord. Their hearts are seared because of disobedience. They knowingly keep secrets from themselves, painting pictures that are not real. In desperate measure, they are fruitlessly attempting a self-sabotaged mission. Romans 1:18-19 unveils this, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.” They do not acknowledge God any longer, so He gave them over to a depraved mind. When God’s children continue in their iniquities, they will never prosper. This profanity will run its course and as we know, woefully leaves a wake of hurt and needed restoration.
I exhort you to zealously wait for the Lord and earnestly seek their return. Continue in prayer for the one adrift.
A Long Way
“Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me. But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep. My sheep listen to My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one”” (John 10:25-29).
The prodigal son came a long, long way back home. His relationship with his father was restored.
“Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs, And carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes” (Isaiah 40:11).
The Good Shepherd never loses track of His sheep.
