Ponder the Following

 

Could Jesus lose a sheep

That was truly his at first?

Because if he really could

Nothing could be worse.

Consider that man

That had a hundred sheep,

One of them was missing 

And for it he went out to seek. 

No doubt he knew his sheep

Perhaps it had his brand

But why he would leave the others

At first I did not understand.

I mean that was only one

He still had ninety-nine,

One gone; the rest are safe

That should have been fine.

Why risk the ninety and nine?

Why go after that one?

Doesn’t make much sense 

Since it wandered on its own.

It must have been in the fold

Where it was safe and sound,

Was it not happy there

And preferred to wander around?

What was the shepherd thinking

To put at risk the other sheep

That he would leave them all

And go after that stray to seek?

The answer to me is simple

Why he was urged that sheep to seek,

After all it belonged to him

It was his very own sheep.

That shepherd could not afford

To lose one single sheep,

They were all very special to him

And after even one he must seek.

  

It carried his very brand

His Father had given him it

And to account for every sheep

This was the Son’s own habit.

Ponder with me some more

What if that sheep were you?

Would it be just another sheep?

Or wouldn’t you change that view?

I am certain that you would

Even for a friend

Even with all the other ones

You just wouldn’t let it end.

Of course if it were not his sheep

He really would not mind,

Another shepherd would deal with it

And would be the one to chase behind.

So it is with Jesus’ sheep

He will not lose a single one,

For each he gave his precious blood

For their sin he did atone.

They will come to him they must

Just like the Father promised,

At his voice they will respond

Once they are truly his.

Only one he has ever lost

That the Father had given him,

Judas Iscariot was that one

He died without hope and in sin.

So say yes to the Shepherd

And leave the rest in His hand,

Don’t despair if you should slip

If you are wearing his brand.

Daily confess your shortcomings

Rely on Christ alone,

By His Spirit know his voice

And show you are his own.

Eternal life lasts forever

Though for us it had a start,

That life the Spirit gave us 

When he first set us apart.

The shepherd walks ahead 

And he leads the sheep along

And even in the midst of trouble 

We can sing redemption’s song.

We are not only saved but safe

And Christ Jesus holds our hand,

We need not fear we won’t get home

Since we are wearing his brand.

Of course you must consider

If you have ever come to him,

Did you have the Spirit’s witness

That you were saved from your sin?

Were you ever under conviction

On hearing the Holy Word?

Did you respond in kind

To the message you had heard?

If not, you can do so now

And receive the Holy Spirit’s brand

You’ll be Jesus’ sheep forever

And he will take you by the hand.

Stewart Russell © April 2018