Letter for August 1987

Dear Friends,

It is wonderful how God opens up further understanding of well known Bible passages, and makes them a greater blessing to us. It is one such understanding which I want to share with you this month. It is something that I shared in a sermon one evening in July.

The passage is the familiar one of the Shepherd seeking the lost sheep which we read about in Luke 15 v 1 to 7.

The parable is a familiar one, and we see the Shepherd, who is a picture of Jesus, going out to seek for the lost sheep, which is a picture of us who wilfully go astray from God, and follow our own way in life.

We immediately see this as a vivid picture of Jesus as Saviour from sin and its consequences of death and hell. We see the truth that Jesus by his death procures the full forgiveness of our sins and reconciles us to God.

But there is something more here as well. We are sinners at heart. To do what God requires of us is impossible to us, we can't save ourselves nor can we keep ourselves in the love of God, nor in our strength get ourselves to heaven. This parable has this great message and truth, that Jesus is a complete Saviour. He does everything for us from the moment we believe to our arrival in heaven.

Do you notice that the Shepherd not only finds the sheep and rescues the sheep from the plight it is in, but he also carries the sheep all the way back to the fold.

The shepherd could have rescued the sheep and then required the sheep to follow him back to the fold. This is usually how we look at being a Christian. Jesus saves us from our sins, and then requires us to follow him, and while we fellow him he looks after us. But this parable adds a new dimension to what Jesus does for us. We are too weak to follow him. We would never get to heaven if it depended on our following Jesus. Notice again that the Shepherd carried the sheep back to the fold. Jesus as the Good Shepherd carries us on his shoulder all the way to heaven. He brings us there.

This is a picture of a truth that the Bible teaches, that our salvation is all of grace. Jesus did not die for us only to lose us again. No! he not only dies for us, but pledges his word he will bring us to heaven. He says no one will pluck us out of his hand. He has gone to prepare a place for us in heaven. He sends the Holy Spirit to dwell within us, which is Christ dwelling within us.

The picture of the Shepherd carrying the sheep all the way home is a wonderful picture of the truth that the salvation which Jesus bestows upon us is one which includes everything we need to complete our earthly life safely.

In your Christian life now, in what ever your circumstances and in whatever is happening to you, Jesus is carrying you. You may be falling into sin Jesus is still carrying you and he will not let you be lost. You may be suffering great trials - Jesus is carrying you and he will keep you safe and comfort you. You may feel afraid that you can’t keep the Christian life up - remember you don’t have to keep it up, for Jesus is carrying you.

This does not mean we don’t have to believe, and struggle against sin, and be active in obedience and service. We do have to do all these things. What it does mean is that Jesus is carrying us, and our safety and success is by his power and strength.

Let this parable and the picture it gives of Jesus carrying you be fixed firmly in your mind, so that you may always realise that his strength is keeping you, his arms are always holding you, and you can never be lost again.

Your servant for Christ’s sake,