In a countryside filled with green pastures and sloping hills a shepherd stands straight and tall. Leaning on his staff, he looks out over HIS precious herd making sure the little ones are close to their Mamas, the older sheep are well and walking without difficulty, the herd as a whole is happy and content, feeding off the bountiful grass he has led them to. As a matter of habit he begins to count the sheep, smiling at the antics of the lambs jumping and chasing each other. Then he stops smiling and frowns. He slowly and carefully counts again.
One is missing!
He sounds the alarm to his friends and neighbors and the search begins.
He scans the area. He moves swiftly and carefully along outcroppings and drop-offs. He calls the missing sheep by name. He does not stop for food or rest. He quickly walks around the area, calling, listening, looking. Then he hears, of in the distance, a lonely bleat, a cry for help. Running, the shepherd arrives to find a frightened, dusty little lamb and gathers it gently in his arms, carefully wiping off the dust from the lamb’s face and holding it close as he softly probes with his loving fingers for cuts and bruises. The shepherd moves slowly back to the herd, murmuring loving words quietly to the little one. He places the lamb down by it’s mother and smiles as it hungrily feeds.
His friends and neighbors gather around the shepherd, celebrating and rejoicing with him. The lost lamb is back in the fold with the herd. The precious lost has been found.
Wow!
Jesus then went on to say, “there is more rejoicing in Heaven” when one of His creation comes to Him and accepts Him as the Savior.
We made the angels dance and sing when we wrapped our arms around our Lord and asked Him to live in our hearts at the foot of the cross! The trumpets blasted, the music swelled and the angels sang songs of praise and joy when we became part of our Lord’s family.
And the incredible reality is, He is still smiling! And I believe the celebration is still going on and will continue till we join it and our loved ones to dance with Jesus and sing His praises with the angels!
We are HIS!
