Once upon a time, in a hilly region, there lived a compassionate shepherd, called John and his wife – Gabriella. He had a flock of a hundred sheep, which he was very proud of, the envy of many of the other farmers in the Cumbria area.
John would always go “above and beyond” in the care of his flock and showed them with unwavering love, that he could be trusted. Each day, he would start up the old trail bike and with his trusty old sheepdog Teddy running alongside, they led the flock to the lush pastures, protected them from predators, and counted them to ensure their safety. Each evening they would herd them back to the farm.
On one overcast day in the afternoon, as the sheep grazed contentedly, Teddy began to bark at John. John quickly came over to the sheepdog, who was now looking away to the hills. John knew that Teddy was signalling that a sheep had wandered off and so he quickly took a head count. His heart sank, one was missing.
Fear gripped him and twisted his soul until it hurt. He instructed Teddy to start gathering the sheep and to head back to the farm.
Leaving the ninety-nine behind in the care of Teddy, he embarked on a determined search for the lost1 sheep. He rode over the rocky hills, crossed babbling brooks, and called out into the growing wind. His love for that single lost sheep drove him forward.
The weather had now turned to heavy rain and the sight of a great storm over the hill tops could be seen, rolling down the sides of the valley towards the farm. The prospect of the warm, dry farmhouse was on his mind, but that would have to wait, the lost sheep needed to be found.
The farm stood nestled in the valley, its lights flickering like warm beacons against the stormy night. The old wooden barn, weathered by years of seasons, creaked as the wind tugged at its eaves.
The dog had already herded the flock back to the farm and Gabriella saw them return without John and opened the gates for Teddy to drive the sheep through. She knew that John must be looking for a sheep because that is what he did, never a thought for himself.
Inside, the hearth crackled, casting a golden glow on the stone walls, whilst John’s wife was busy preparing the meal for that night. Outside under the old door porch, Teddy ever loyal and vigilant waited, ears listening, ready to welcome his master home.
Finally, after hours of searching, John found the sheep trapped in a ditch. Its wool was matted with mud and sodden with dirty water, and it trembled with cold and fear. John slid into the ditch and sank to his knees, then gently lifted the sheep into his arms, cradling it like a precious treasure.
The shepherd knew that safety, warmth, and rest awaited them – the promise of belonging fulfilled.
When he reached the old trail bike, he straddled it and with a swift push of the kick starter, the bike rumbled to life. John laid the trembling sheep across his legs and with joy in his heart, he rode back to the farm and placed it with the rest of the waiting flock.
Then as soon as he was in the farmhouse, before even saying hello to Gabriella, he called his friends and neighbours. “Rejoice with me!” he exclaimed. “I had lost one of my sheep, but I managed to find it!” Their celebration echoed through the hills, and John thought the heavens themselves had joined in with great jubilation. The whisper of prayers and glad tidings, dancing through the wind with joy like the golden voices of angels.
But John knew also of God’s boundless love. Just as he had rejoiced over the one lost sheep, so does God rejoice when a sinner repents and returns to Him. No matter how far we stray, His love seeks us out, lifts us, and brings us home.
After a nice hot meal and after Teddy had finished his bowl too, the pair of them went out for one last look. All was well that night at the farm.
Peace be with you.
Luke 15:3-7
(NKJV) So He spoke this parable to them, saying: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? “And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. “And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ “I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.
(RV60) Entonces él les refirió esta parábola, diciendo: ¿Qué hombre de vosotros, teniendo cien ovejas, si pierde una de ellas, no deja las noventa y nueve en el desierto, y va tras la que se perdió, hasta encontrarla? Y cuando la encuentra, la pone sobre sus hombros gozoso; y al llegar a casa, reúne a sus amigos y vecinos, diciéndoles: Gozaos conmigo, porque he encontrado mi oveja que se había perdido. Os digo que así habrá más gozo en el cielo por un pecador que se arrepiente, que por noventa y nueve justos que no necesitan de arrepentimiento.
