The Good Shepherd in Three Positions

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Luke 15:3-7

And he spoke this parable to them, saying,…

Let us behold our great Shepherd —

I. IN THE SEARCH "Until He find it."

1. No rejoicing is on His countenance. He is anxious for the lost.

2. No hesitation is in His mind. Despite roughness of way, length of time, or darkness of night, He still pursues His lost one.

3. No anger is in His heart. The many wanderings of the sheep cost Him dear, but He counts them as nothing, so that He may but find it.

4. No pausing because of weariness. Love makes Him forget Himself, and causes Him to renew His strength.

5. No giving up the search. His varied nonsuccesses do not compel Him to return defeated. Such must our searches after others be. We must labour after each soul until we find it.

II. AT THE CAPTURE. "When He hath found it." Mark the Shepherd when the sheep is at last within reach.

1. Wanderer held. How firm the grip! How hearty! How entire!

2. Weight borne. No chiding, smiting, driving; but a lift, a self-loading, an easing of the wanderer.

3. Distance travelled. Every step is for the Shepherd. He must tread painfully all that length of road over which the sheep had wandered so wantonly. The sheep is carried back with no suffering on its own part.

4. Shepherd rejoicing to bear the burden. The sheep is so dear that its weight is a load of love. The Shepherd is so good that He finds joy in His own toil.

5. Sheep rejoicing, too. Surely it is glad to be found of the Shepherd, and so to have its wanderings ended, its weariness rested, its distance removed, its perfect restoration secured.

III. IN THE HOME-BRINGING. "When He cometh home."

1. Heaven is home to Christ.

2. Jesus must carry us all the way there.

3. The Shepherd's mission for lost souls is known in glory, and watched with holy sympathy: in this all heavenly ones are "his friends and neighbours."

4. Jesus loves others to rejoice with Him over the accomplishment of His design. "He called together His friends." See how they crowd around Him! What a meeting!

5. Repentance is also regarded as our being brought home (see verse 7).

6. One sinner can make all heaven glad: (see verses 7, 10).

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