In Matthew 18:12, Jesus asks: “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?”
A lifeboat can only hold four people, but five need to be rescued: a young child, a doctor, an engineer, a housewife and an elderly man. The young child has a future. The housewife can have more children. The doctor and engineer have valuable knowledge. Though the elder has wisdom, his time is short. It is a hopeless cause—of who to keep and who to let go.
In this world, we are defined by so many things: Status, education, position, or money …. but none of this matters when we meet with eternity. The One who died to save us doesn’t rule us in or out. He pursues us all as lost sheep because he values us equally. Jesus sees a sheep, wandering and weary. That is why He searches for it, lifting it onto his shoulders to be carried back to the safety of his flock and care.
Are you that weary sheep, tired of what is not working in your life? Do you long to be carried to a better place on the shoulders of the Good Shepherd? Ask Jesus to carry you back to His flock. Recognize the One who gives you that salvation and claim his gifts of forgiveness and life.
You can pray this prayer:
Jesus, I know you are the Good Shepherd who died on the cross for my sins. You rose again, conquering sin and death so that I can have eternal life with you. Please forgive my sins and come into my heart today. Amen.