Matthew 18: 10 “Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven. 12 What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14 So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.
Pastoral Observation:
Have you ever wondered why one of the sheep in the Parable of the Lost Sheep was lost? Do you think the sheep was a day dreamer and was lost in dreams while the rest of the flock went with the shepherd? Perhaps, the lost sheep was too proud to accept the leadership of the shepherd. I have wondered if the sheep became lost because his sheep GPS malfunctioned! You know, you really have to check your GPS mapping program. If you are not careful, it may lead you in the wrong direction! I know some folk who drove from Cleveland, Ohio in the United States, to Detroit, Michigan and ended up following their GPS over the Ambassador Bridge to Canada! Or, maybe the sheep became lost deliberately to see if he would be missed! Another thought – maybe the sheep became distracted by another cute little sheep and was so enamored with infatuation he did not hear the shepherds call and whistle. The list could go on and on. However, the moral to the Parable of the Lost Sheep is that the good shepherd risked the whole flock to go find the one lost sheep.
In a sense, you and I are called to be shepherds to those who cannot find their way. Who is the lost sheep in today’s world? The lost sheep today is the young person who goes astray. The lost sheep is the depressed person who wants to end their life because they cannot figure out how to live a happy and productive life. Today’s lost sheep is the person who cannot find work. Or, they have work, but not enough money. Still worse are those who have enough money, but lack joy and fulfillment.
There are times in our lives when we dance between acting like sheep and sometimes like shepherds. Regardless if you choose to assume the role of sheep or shepherd, it is important to even for the shepherd to have a shepherd. That is why David said, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He leads me beside still waters and restores my soul…”(Psalm 23:1) I encourage you today to choose Jesus as your shepherd. He will never lead you astray. And, should we get off the track; the Lord will seek you, find you and bring you back!
Questions for Reflection:
1. What is your first thought when reading the Parable of the Good Shepherd?
2. What does this text tell you about Jesus self- perception?
3. How does this parable challenge you?
4. Have you ever felt like you were a shepherd to someone else?
5. When have you felt like someone was a shepherd to you?
6. What are the key words in the parable?
7. What are the action words or verbs?
8. If you were using the action words from this parable to encourage another person in their personal faith?
9. How does this parable challenge us as people of faith?
10. What does the Parable of the Good Shepherd say about the role and responsibility we have as Christians?
Prayer:
Lord, you are my shepherd, I shall not want! Lead me to the throne of your grace. Lead me in the paths of righteousness. Guide my tongue that I might speak with love and not hate. Guard my thoughts, that I might harbor positive feelings, and not evil. In like manner, help me to be a shepherd to the lost, a shepherd to those who doubt, a shepherd to those who are fearful. Lord, your protective embrace is my comfort. Your Word is my inspiration. Your way is my truth and life. Through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior we pray. Amen.
Written by Rev. Dr. Nicholas Hood III
Pastor and Senior Minister
Plymouth United Church of Christ
600 E. Warren Ave.
Detroit, Michigan 48201
http://www.puccdetroit.org
Prayers and Meditations at https://puccdetroit.wordpress.com/
Photo – sheep at the Blue Nile Falls, Ethiopia – Nicholas Hood III
Nicholas Hood III MInistries 