The stray

“What do you think? If a man has 100 sheep, and one of them goes astray, won’t he leave the 99 on the hillside and go and search for the stray?”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭18‬:‭12‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

Living in a farming community where the number of sheep are thousands, I wonder if one would be missed. However, farmers do know when wild dogs are ravaging their herds and when thieves come and steal them. If it is a wild dog the farmer will hunt it and kill it without hesitation, if a thief comes he will report the theft to police.

In the time of Jesus’ story shepherds were employed and if it was a son of the house he was usually more diligent to watch over the sheep. I remember meeting shepherds in the high country in Nepal. The number of sheep were much fewer and therefore the one would be missed.

It is interesting that Jesus likens us to sheep. Sheep and none too bright and easily wander. We wander. Ooh look at those bright lights, I’ll just go and find out what is there! Ooh that sounds good I might follow that for a while! We are too easily distracted. A resolve does not last when made at New Year, as the grind of life plays out the exercise is forgotten and the delicious food entices once again.

I have a friend who has been waylaid by the lies of Satan. He has been isolated away from fellowship because he has been made to believe he is worthless. In his isolation he is plagued with illness and thoughts that are not good for him. He needs to find his way out. I asked the Lord what I should do for this friend, the Lord’s reply was: “show him the way!”

Jesus is the way, the truth and the life! Amen!