During the past few weeks I have fallen in love with the song, Reckless Love by Cody Asbury. The reason why I have learned to love this song is because of how much the words remind me what God will do in order to capture my heart. One of the lines in the song’s chorus is “Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine”. After the first few times I sang this song, I figured out where the phrase “leaves the ninety-nine” came from. The Gospel of Luke tells us,
“Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” – Luke 15:3-7
By no means do I claim to be an expert in Middle Eastern shepherding but I am assuming that the sheep who was lost did something wrong to get lost.
It probably wandered off.
The words “wander” and “lost” may be words that describe your spiritual walk. Perhaps just like the sheep, you wandered off from your family’s faith that you grew up with. Perhaps, you “wandered” away from our God who is the Good Shepherd. Perhaps, you feel as if you are “lost” in life. If those words describe you today in your walk with Christ, I hope the scripture above can be some good news to you.
Even though the lost sheep probably did wrong to get itself lost, and even though the sheep probably didn’t listen to the shepherd’s voice, what did the shepherd in the parable do?
He pursued the lost sheep.
He sought after the lost sheep.
He persistently, recklessly, and passionately did all he could to bring the lost, wandering sheep back to the flock.
Today I want to remind you that in the same way the shepherd in this parable pursued the wandering sheep, our Heavenly Father, the Good Shepherd pursues you. Even though you have done wrong. Even though you have wandered off. God is waiting to put you “joyfully on His shoulders” to bring you home. The shepherd wasn’t trying to find the sheep to punish it, but to love it.
Be reminded of the reckless love that God has for you today. I hope today is the day that there is a celebration in heaven for you.
Greg Salmon
Pastor of Student Ministries
