My Stories

 

THE PARABLE OF THE LOST SHEEP

 

       This wonderful story is found in the Bible, in the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 15.  This story is called a parable.  A parable is a very exciting and different kind of story.  Jesus told lots parables.  A parable is a story that has a secret meaning.  See if you can guess the secret meaning. 

 

        “Boy, look at those big clouds up there and the sky is grey and dark.  And the wind is coming up.  I'm sure we're in for a very bad storm.  I'd better hurry and get all my sheep put away.  Oh, we had such a lovely day today outside on the mountain.  We enjoyed the lovely sunshine and nice green grass, and cool fresh water by the stream.  But this sure looks like a nasty night.  Whoa, I hope I have them all.  Come on.  Come there, Whitey.  Come on Spot and Fluffy.  Get in there...come on...come on."  "Baa baa baa."  "Quit horse playing around you guys.  This isn't time to goof off.  Come on.  Get in the shelter.  Get in the sheepfold.  Oh Snowball, come on, come on.  Cotton, Beth, Mike, Fluffy, Little Tail, Whitey come on.  Come Spotty, come, hurry, hurry up.  Let me see.  I'd better really count these tonight.  They've been all over the mountain today and I'm not sure they're all here.  Let me see.  Fifty, da, da, da, sixty, da da, seventy, eighty, eighty-six, eig....come on, come on, come on Blacky, eighty-seven, eighty-eight, eighty-nine.  Oh, oh.  There's Tom, ninety.  Okay, ninety-one, ninety-two, ninety-three, ninety-four, ninety...oh there's Jane.  Come on, there's Frolicky, there's Whispy, ninety-seven, ninety-eight, ninety-nine.  Oh...NINETY-NINE!  I have a hundred sheep in my fold.  Where's number one hundred?  Ah, let me see.  You know, it looks like, let me look for sure. Oh, Little Lamb is not here.  Oh, Little Lamb is lost.  Where can he be?  I can't believe it, and the storm is coming and there's wolves out there on the mountain.  Oh, oh, Sebastian, hi Sebastian.”  “Hi there Jesse.  What’s the matter you act like you’re in a flurry?”  “Boy, we got a big storm comin'.” “Oh, yes, Sabastian and Little Lamb is lost.  I've got to go out and find him.  Would you just kinda keep an eye on the others? “ ”Oh, yes, I’ll stay.  I’ll keep an eye on them for you.”  “Oh, thank you Sebastian, thank you.  Well, I better hurry.  It's really getting bad out here - blowy......... Little Lamb, Little Lamb, where are you?  Heeerree, Little Lamb.  Heeerrree Little Lamb.  Your shepherd is calling you.  Come, come to your shepherd.  Just say baaa and I can hear you.  It's so important that I find you.  I care for you and I love you.  Where are you Little Lamb?  Little Lamb, Little Lamb,  "baa baa  baa baa"  "I think I hear something.  Oh, I've been wandering around for hours.  Oh down, down in that little gully, he must have fallen down in that craig.  Oh, Little Lamb, are you down there Little Lamb?"  baa aaa baa baa"  "Oh, I hear you.  Oh, thank you God.  Thank you.  Little Lamb, just a minute, I'm coming.  I'll climb down the hill.  I'll get you.  Oh this rock is loose.  Watch out, it’s slippery!  Oh there you are.  Oh sweet little thing.  Don't worry, I'll help.  I'll bring you back.  Are you afraid of this lightening and thunder.  Oh, I’m so glad I found you. Come on.  Come on.  I'll keep you safe. Come into my arms.  I will carry you. Oh you're shivering and you’re all wet and cold.  I'll take you home where it's nice and warm.....Oh Sabastian, Sabastian.” “Looks like you found Little Lamb?"  "I did, I did.  Isn't it exciting?"  "Oh Jesse, I think we should have a party.  Let's celebrate.  Let's get all the gang together and have a party and we can have some hot chocolate and marshmallows.  Come on."  “That's a great idea.  I just feel so happy and excited.  Yes, let me put Little Lamb away and we'll celebrate because my Little Lamb that was lost is now found." 

 

    Wasn't that an exciting parable?  Now, who is the Good Shepherd?  Yes, the Good Shepherd in the Bible is Jesus.  That's the secret meaning of the story.  Jesus watches out for His sheep.  Who are His sheep?  Well, all of us.  Every single one of us.  Every person that comes to Jesus becomes one of His little lambs. 

 

      Sometimes we're far away from Him when we sin and we disobey and we don't do what God wants.  And then we're lost and the Good Shepherd has to find us.  But when we repent and ask forgiveness and He brings us back into the sheepfold.  And you know it says in the Bible that the angels and God rejoice over one lost sheep.  Anyone that comes to know Jesus who didn't before.  And they rejoice and have a party. 

 

     Are you one of Jesus’ lambs?  Would you like to be?  Just pray with me.  “Dear Jesus, I would like you to be my shepherd.  I will follow you and obey you.  Thank you for loving me so much and taking away my sin.  Thank you for forgiving me.  I am so happy to be one of your little lamps.