The Lost Lamb — A LifeWords Devotion

When we think of Jesus, many images might come to mind. We don’t know what he looked like, so no imaginary picture is necessarily accurate. He most likely wasn’t a blonde, long-haired blue-eyed film star type given his ethnicity. But we can picture him in other ways, and one way I have found helpful is that of him carrying a once lost lamb on his shoulders.

It is the picture used in his rebuttal of the religious leaders of his day. Jesus was making an obvious point: if you want to help the lost, it is best you go looking for them. If you want to call sinners to get back on track, you better get amongst them.

If we find ourselves straying away, confused about life, weak in faith, we don’t need some imperious religious figure wagging his finger at us and telling us to try harder. We don’t need to be crushed and put down. We need to be lifted up on the shoulders of one who comes looking for us to bring us home. Someone who has not given us up for lost.

Such a picture of Jesus helps me in that it reminds me that I am in need of rescue. I cannot save myself, or by sheer hard work bring myself to full maturity. I need to find refuge and strength on the broad shoulders of one who knows me and cares for me. I don’t need a sheep dog nipping at my heels. I need a good shepherd. And I have got one.

Blessings

David