The Shepherd Carries the Lost Sheep
OPENING PRAYER:
Lord, thank you for Jesus Christ, and that through him I am not condemned. Thank you for your compassion, your mercy, and your grace. Amen
"1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
REFLECT:
Hallelujah! When the Shepherd finds the lost sheep, he carries them back to the heard without punishment but with compassion and care. And thank God for that, because if the shepherd was in the business of doling out punishments to wandering sheep, the gospel wouldn’t really be very good news. But, because of what Christ did on the cross, through him we can be found blameless before God.
When we think about those sheep who are wondering or lost, I think it is important to consider how we treat those who do not yet call Jesus their Lord and Savior. In 1 Corinthians 5:12, for example, Paul makes it clear to his audience that their focus ought to be on correcting the behavior of those who call themselves believers, rather than those who are outside of the church.
Now, the Bible is clearly not condoning sinful behavior. On the contrary, as believers we are called to turn away from sin (i.e. stop wandering away from our shepherd!). But, when we do fail, we can have faith in the knowledge that our shepherd will not condemn us.
APPLY:
Have peace in the knowledge that through Christ you are not condemned. Examine your own heart today and consider if there have been times that you may have been eager to see punishment doled out to a lost or wandering sheep.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Ask the Lord to give you opportunities, and perhaps to see those he has already given you, to display the love and compassion of Christ.