Our Sheep and their Shepherd

The other day, the text for my (Peggy's) English Bible class was Luke 15:4-6 and my friend Chiko came.  Actually, we had started to look at the passage the week before, but I decided to look at it more closely again.  When Chiko heard that we were doing the same story, she said, "I'm so glad, because I didn't understand what it meant and I really wanted to learn the meaning!"  (She brought yet another new friend with her, by the way.:) )

Here are a few things we observed:

**the shepherd noticed the one missing, even though there were so many.  What's one sheep, when there are still 99 left!

**when the shepherd found it, he joyfully put it on his shoulder and carried it home.  He didn't scold it for getting lost, or tell it how put out he was for having to leave the other 99 (though we parents might be tempted to do that...).

** the shepherd made a big deal out of finding the one sheep---he practically threw a party.

Wow, the shepherd really loved that one lost sheep.

This story is all about what God thinks of us---you, me, Chiko, each one of us.

The Bible describes us as sheep.  I remember being a lost one.  In the farming area where I grew up, there wasn't a church for miles (not many sheep either, but a lot of cows).  I didn't have any professing Christians around me.  But the shepherd found me.  He really did.  Through a non-Christian friend who gave me a Christian testimony book (makes perfect sense, doesn't it???), He got my attention, and eventually drew me to Himself.  My first "conversation" with Jesus that I can remember was under a tree out in the middle of nowhere.  I was 15.

He "noticed" me.  He knew I was lost.  When He found me (well, the analogy sort of breaks down there, because He always knew where I was---I was the one who was clueless), He didn't "scold" me for my sin and lostness, but welcomed me with forgiveness, unconditional love and acceptance.

"Chiko, He wants so much to 'find' you.  He waits for you to turn to Him and believe."

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night....the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a savior has been born to you..." (Luke 2:8-11)

Contacting Us

KEVIN & PEGGY GRIP

LAUREL, JAMIE & MATTHEW

Kitamachi 5-3-9, Nishitokyo, Tokyo 202-0003 JAPAN

Email

gripjapan@yahoo.co.jp