“My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:27-28
Anyone who knows me or has followed The Road of Faith over the years knows how special John 10:27-28 is to me. This morning as the sky slowly brightens behind me with the rising sun, I ponder on our Good Shepherd and His words.
“Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” Luke 15:4
Anyone who knows shepherds knows that no shepherd would ever leave his flock for just one sheep that got separated from the others. No way a shepherd would put at risk 99 of his flock for just one.
That isn’t the mindset of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. He shows His love for all sheep by seeking the one who is lost. I asked the Lord how His love is shown by putting all the flock at risk for just one lost lamb. He responded so clearly that the true Shepherd never leaves His flock at risk, not one or ninety-nine. They all are so important to Him, so beloved that He would not risk the loss of even one.
The Good Shepherd doesn’t leave His flock alone for the wolves. Jesus gave His flock over to the protection of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit watches over and defends the flock while He seeks out the lost lamb. Jesus will find all of His flock, no matter the cost or effort. Jesus will protect His flock, no matter the cost of effort.
“Let the greatest sinners place their trust in My mercy. They have the right before others to trust in the abyss of My mercy.” Divine Mercy in My Soul # 1146
The love of the Shepherd for you is so immense that there is no cost He won’t pay to find you. The love of the Shepherd is so great for you that there is no expanse He won’t traverse and no darkness into which He won’t go to bring you home.
“Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment” John 16:7-8
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26