Ovis Aria.

So Jesus told them this parable: “Which one of you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, would not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go look for the one that is lost until he finds it? Then when he has found it, he places it on his shoulders, rejoicing.” (Luke 15:3-5)

To us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

This past weekend Pastor Richie referenced Luke 15 and Isaiah 9. In Luke 15 we see the parable of the lost sheep. The responsible shepherd leaves the ninety-nine sheep in his pasture, finds the one which had wandered away, and then joyfully places it on his shoulders and carries it back to the fold. And in Isaiah 9, we see the prophetic announcement concerning our Messiah: “the government will be upon His shoulders.”

It is comforting to know that our Lord, the Shepherd who joyfully rescues and carries us, is also the Shepherd who rescues and carries government. He is the One who gives responsible oversight of individuals and kingdoms.

As I have reflected on this part of the sermon, I’ve been thinking of it in light of Psalm 23. Recently I read A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, a book by Phillip Keller that gives helpful reflections from the perspective of a pastor who was also a successful sheep farmer. His book, and Psalm 23, have helped to shape my reflections below.

Why ought we remain on the shoulders of the Shepherd?

The Shepherd is the Supplier of everything we need. There is no need for us to seek another pasture besides the one in which He placed us. He calls individuals and governments to honor the boundaries He has set concerning marriage, society, geography, and ecology.

The Shepherd is the Guide who shows us when to walk and when to rest. There is no need for us to push ourselves into overdrive. He calls individuals and governments to honor the cycles of activity and rest He has instituted for humans, plants, livestock, and landscapes.

The Shepherd is the Executor of righteousness. There is no need for us to justify ourselves; we are made righteous in Christ, by His work on the cross. He calls us to a Biblical view of justice, respect for all, and preferential option for the poor among us (widows, orphans, the financially impoverished, and immigrants).

The Shepherd is the Inspector of our souls. He makes us aware of our wounds and sores, and He does whatever is necessary to bring healing. He calls us to be gentle with those who have been victimized personally or institutionally, and He calls us to be agents of His healing power.

The Shepherd is the Protector of our minds. He sends His Spirit to remind us of His word and warn us of impending dangers. He calls us to do the same: speaking the Truth which is His word of truth, and warning the world when it engages in actions that are contrary to His truth.

The Shepherd is the Owner of our bodies—bodies which are physical and spiritual. He is pleased to dwell in those of us who have completely submitted our lives to Him. He calls us to submit our bodies to Him: supporting all that promotes health, and shunning all that makes people and societies sick (whether physically or spiritually).

In the great hymn “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” (written by Rev. Robert Robinson), there is a profound line: “Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it: prone to leave the God I love!” Isaiah 53:6 says, “All we like sheep have gone astray.” Our tendency, according to Isaiah, is to give in to our sinful nature and walk away from our Shepherd. We foolishly leave the safe pasture and go to dark and dangerous places. But, also in Isaiah 53:6, we are told that our Shepherd-Messiah, Jesus, stepped in to take the full brunt of all the punishment that was hurtling towards us. We have been rescued! We, “His people and the sheep of His pasture” (Psalm 100:3), can be safe in His care. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we learn that peace and contentment are found nowhere else. Yes, Lord, enfold me.

But what becomes of the sheep that wrests its way off His shoulders and leaves His pasture?