The Parable of the Lost Sheep is a familiar story that I’ve heard countless times. Today, as I reflected on it again, I realized the profound message it conveys. Jesus, God’s one and only Son, is the shepherd. He left the glory of heaven and abandoned His prestige. He stepped down from His throne and descended to our level, becoming a man. This is how He came to find us. He is the Good Shepherd.

He cares about the one. Many ancient stories depict gods who reside in distant places, indifferent to our existence, using us for their purposes. This is not the picture we see of the one and only God. The one and only God, who truly deserves all glory and honor, treats us with compassion and mercy instead of as we deserve.

He provided Abraham with a substitute; instead of his son, there was a ram. God knew there was no ram, no substitute that would be sufficient. Only Jesus was righteous. So the one who knew no sin, received the punishment for all of our sins. Jesus knew He had to die, that he would pour out his life to save ours. There was no other way. Scripture says that if righteousness could come through the law, then Christ died in vain. This means we couldn’t be saved through the law or our works. Only by the grace of God and the sacrifice of Christ, who took our punishment, can we have freedom.

Christ is the Good Shepherd who went after the one—us. He didn’t leave us to save ourselves; instead, He knocks on our hearts and pursues us. The most powerful and magnificent King of the universe chose to lay it all aside to come after you, to bring you into the fold. What a beautiful image: Jesus, the shepherd tending the flock, looks around, recognizes that we’ve wandered away, and goes after us.

Perhaps today, as you go about your life, you will stop and let the truth of what Christ has done for you sink in. You hear this story so many times, but you forget how amazing it is that our God sacrificed so much and that Jesus would go so far for you and for me. Be overwhelmed with the amazing love and grace of our true Shepherd today!

Scriptures: Luke 15:3-7, Revelations 3:30, John 10:11-18