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
