Soul ShepherdНамуна

Many read the passage today and focus on the finding of the sheep, but have you ever thought on the context of this parable? Luke 15 begins with setting the scene by sharing who is gathered around Jesus: tax collectors, sinners, and pharisees. Two of the groups are listening, and one of the groups is grumbling. If you haven’t read the passage already, I’ll give you a wild guess at naming the grumblers.

Don’t you find it interesting that the pharisees - the religious leaders - were the ones grumbling about who was listening and/or following Jesus? Shouldn’t the religious leaders be eager to see all come to know and love Jesus? And yet, in this passage we find that they are the ones blatantly disgruntled by Jesus allowing all to hear, to be in His physical presence.

So, what does Jesus do? He shares a parable speaking to this very issue. A shepherd leaves the sheep already gathered and grazing for the one that wanders astray. Verse 5 promises that the sheep is found, and that the shepherd will carry it, rejoicing all the way back to his neighbors. Not only that, but he asks the people to rejoice with him that the sheep was found!

Jesus is giving us a look at the Good Shepherd - our Soul Shepherd - in contrast to the religious leaders who were supposed to be acting as earthly shepherds of God’s people. We often concentrate on the finding of the lost sheep, but have we stopped to consider that we have a responsibility to share and care for lost people while here on earth? We have the opportunity through gatherings and dinners and encounters to share the love of Jesus and remind people that He is willing to pull them close and rejoice!

The shepherd didn’t hesitate to find the sheep. Jesus didn’t hesitate to allow all to come near and listen. Neither should we. Take a few moments and ask Jesus to shepherd your soul for the sake of those still wandering who yet do not know Him.