The liturgy we are using for this Sunday, “The Good Shepherd Communion”, ties in well with our theme: “Follow Me”. These words were spoken by Jesus to Peter as Jesus was recommissioned him for service. The beauty of this passage is the seeking the lost and their restoration. Three times after Jesus’ arrest and during Jesus’ trial. Peter had denied any relationship with Jesus. Fearing his own future he had disowned Jesus. Peter realised he was alone. He was lost.
As I was reading today’s Gospel of Jesus questioning Peter, I was reminded of the parable Jesus told of the Lost Sheep. Prior to the parable, Jesus was talking to his disciples about how the trusting nature of a child should be the same for those who would be his followers. John recorded Jesus saying, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. And “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me.”
As I reread this parable, it brought to mind the compassionate care a shepherd in Jesus’ time had for his sheep. Each member of his flock was known and, under normal circumstances, each night they were kept secure in the fold with their shepherd guarding its entrance. The setting of today’s parable is a shepherd protecting his sheep while they were grazing in the hills. As he checked on his grazing flock of one hundred, the shepherd counted only ninety-nine. One was missing.
The shepherd left the ninety-nine grazing happily. He went out to search for the lost one. The search wasn’t easy but once the sheep was found we note that there was no reprimand given, instead in its place, compassion was evident. The shepherd placed the sheep securely across his shoulders and brought it home. Matthew recorded Jesus words as a reason for the parable. “In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish.” The little ones he referred to were children. We too are God’s children. This is because we have accepted Jesus’ invitation, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” We have chosen to come into Jesus’ fold. This was made possible through Jesus’ incarnation and sacrificial death on the cross for our sins. We are known by name. We are precious.
Footprints in the Sand. Mary Stevenson.
One night I dreamed a dream.
As I walked along the beach with my Lord
Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints
in the sand, one belonging to me and one to my Lord.
After the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that at many times along the path of my life, especially at the very lowest and saddest times, here was only one set of footprints.
This really troubled me, so I asked my Lord about it.
“Lord, you said once I decided to follow you, You’d walk with me all the way.
But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life, there was only one set of footprints.
I don’t understand why, when I needed you most, You would leave me.”
He whispered, “my precious child, I love you and will never leave you.
Never, ever, during your trials and testings. When you saw only one set of footprints, It was then that I carried you.”