The parable of the prodigal son exemplifies the meaning of the parable of the lost sheep. Sheep’s behavior resembles that of men’s for easily going stray, even after the experience of been born again. The prodigal son, who had everything, including the love of his father, strayed from the comfort of his home and family to satisfy the desires of his flesh. The worldly pleasure was to him more important than the comfort and security of his family, until left penniless and abandoned by those whom he called friends. The love of his father resembled that of the heavenly Father. Compelled by love, he never gave up, but continuously waited for the return of his lost son. Our Shepherd’s love was so greatly expressed when He stooped so low as to leave His heavenly home, to sacrifice all to rescue us from the pit we had fallen in. A true shepherd’s life is completely dedicated to care for his sheep. YAHSHUA, the great shepherd of our soul, defined Him as the “good Shepherd.” The definitive article “the” implies that He is the only true spiritual Shepherd, who truly loves His sheep. In the case of the parable of the one hundred sheep, when one left the fold and got lost, and the shepherd left the ninety-nine behind, to look for the lost one, shows how important each one of us is to YAHSHUA, our Shepherd.
Sheep require a lot of care; they are helpless and heavily depend on the shepherd to survive, for they are victims of predators, and accidental falls. They are only safe under the care of their shepherd, who protects them. An example of an earthly good shepherd is David. He risked his life to save his sheep from predators as lions and bears. He did not consider his life to be important as not to risk it to save his sheep. Because sheep are social creatures, they stay together, they will all fall into a precipice for not perceiving the danger ahead, leading them to their death. The Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10). Our Lord YAHSHUA came to earth for the purpose to save men who were spiritually dead, enslaved to sin and condemned to eternal death. As sheep, men are blind to their destruction, when they do not follow their shepherd. If they do not believe the truth given them, they will continue on the path of destruction leading to their death. The case of four years ago is an example of how the world fell because it was guided by fear. As a result, many fell into the precipice of no return, for they were sheep who rejected knowledge of the truth.
The beautiful thing in the life of the Lord’s sheep is the assurance in the promises of His presence and His care for us. Psalm 23 shows the contentment of His sheep in the words, “The Lord is my shepherd, all my needs are met: He makes me to lie down in green pastures”, meaning He satisfies my emotional, mental and physical needs. I find rest in lying down in green pastures, a place of comfort and relationship with my Shepherd, YAHSHUA, away from the world’s chaos and danger. The quiet waters satisfy the thirst of my soul; there, there is no dread or fear on my way to heaven, because my Shepherd walks ahead of me, leading me to my eternal abode, where I will be eternally glorified in His presence. refreshed, I follow his footsteps of sanctification. The earth is to me a wilderness and a valley, where sufferings, uncertainties copped with fear, anxieties and worries determine my dependance in my Shepherd. Surely, the victory will be certain as my reward, when my pilgrimage will be over. “Well done, My faithful servant, will be the words I desire to hear from my Shepherd, Who fought Satan for my redemption with His own life, enduring tremendous sufferings to the point of shedding His own blood. Heavens sung, It is finished! It is finished! And angels all rejoiced in choir of victory!
Until then, my spiritual battle continues against the despotisms, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (Eph. 6:12b). They represent the wild and fierce forces of the desert or wilderness, where we must pass in route to our heavenly place. However, nothing can touch me to impede my journey from being successful. YAHSHUA, my Shepherd, is stronger and mightier than all our enemies. He said, My Father, Who has given them (the sheep) to Me, is greater and mightier than all and no one is able to snatch [them] out of the Father’s hand (John 10:29). Where are you in your journey? Are you confronting trials of all kinds? Are you discouraged and too weak to pray? Do you feel alone and depraved of the presence of God? Walls of doubt have closed you in in agony of your soul; you ask, Where are you, God? This is the most asked question in going through the valley or desert of life. Remember, what He promised, “I will be with you to the very end of time” (Matt. 28:20b). Valleys and wildernesses are places where your sanctification is taking place. You are very important to the Shepherd. Your trials are important to Him in order for Him to present you to the Father sanctified and glorified. The work YAHSHUA performed on the cross, was just the beginning of your spiritual journey. A sheep without direction, is a lost sheep. And if YAHSHUA is your shepherd, then you have the assurance of His presence. He loves you individually; be still and know His strength in the darkest hour in your trials.
Light from the Word 