The Lost Sheep
The metaphor of a lost sheep can help us to understand the original sin. Eve was the first sheep to go astray. She was in a perfect relationship with God when she willfully chose to leave that perfect life and believe a lie–that she could become like her Shepherd. Because Eve believed she could take care of herself, she turned her back on the intimate love and care of her Shepherd and went her own way—with disastrous consequences.
While in Israel making the feature video, The Soul Shepherd, I filmed this video clip of a sheep in the very act of “going astray”. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing and capturing on film! After I got home and reviewed the footage, it hit me, “This sheep didn’t get its foot caught and so couldn’t keep up with the rest of the flock. No! It purposely ran away!” And then, the next wave of realization hit me, “What this straying sheep looks like to me, I look like to God when I choose to believe that I know best for myself”. The “greener pasture” I think I’m heading toward—it’s a lie.
Too often our relationship with God can feel like a continual struggle between “the Lord is my Shepherd” or “I am my shepherd”. And while the world is full of “the lost”, we must keep in mind that the lesson of a straying sheep is primarily to the Christian.
“But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:3)
We are sheep. We are His sheep. We are sheep that have the ability to turn our own way—to disaster.
Lord, we desire to follow you and not experience the disastrous consequences of going our own way. Give us discernment to recognize “the lie” when it calls us to follow our own way. Strengthen us to listen to You, to trust You and to follow You in sincere and pure devotion. Amen
Blessings,
Joel
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Good Morning Brother Joel, I can’t tell you enough how much I appreciate your emails. As you know history brings everything alive. By far you give some of the most powerful analogys in all your writings. Would like it if you could include the gospel in your letters & videos. This would be such a great tool for seeing the lost coming to the saving knowledge of our Lord and Savior. Again I thank God for your ministry, Mike Matuzeski
Hi Mike,
Thanks for your comments and encouragement, I greatly appreciate it. Yes, our material is all about the gospel. We produce video shorts to be used as sermon illustrations and teaching illustrations, and so they are designed to make a single point. This particular clip identifies the problem, but we have anther video short that highlights the solution. That video short is The Shepherd Connection. Today’s clip, The Lost Sheep, and The Shepherd Connection are both short sections from our feature documentary titled The Soul Shepherd which proclaims the gospel through the metaphor of shepherding.
I hope that helps, and blessings to you!
Joel
i thank God for you my brother and your continually seeking the Face of Christ. His blessings on you and your family.
Thank you, John. We love you and Cindy! Isn’t it wonderful that Christ comes seeking after us!!!
Profoundly provocative! I imagine the green grass and wide open spaces looked good to the wayward sheep – it seems so so tranquil. Yet deep within the perceived tranquility lies the thief ready to steal, kill and destroy. The fox image reminded much of Song of Solomon 2:15 and reinforces the need to be constantly aware of the devils ways. Well done!
Thank you for your kind words, Ron. I like your reference to the foxes in Song of Solomon and “the need to be constantly aware”. Yes!