The old shepherd
The old Shepherd knew the hills like the back of his wrinkled hands. He had walked a thousand times through each twist of the path, every hollow in the earth. Tonight, the wind howled through the ravines, and the moon cast only a thin silver light over the rocky terrain. He pulled his cloak tighter around his shoulders and listened.
There it was again—the faint, desperate bleating of a lost lamb.
It wasn’t the first time. He had spent his life searching for the ones that wandered. Some strayed because they were curious, chasing after the scent of something new. Others had been nudged off course, bumped by the flock until they tumbled down a slope. Some grew tired and laid down, only to realize too late that they were alone.
He had left the others in the safety of the fold, trusting they would not be harmed. But this one—this one was in danger.
The search
Step by step, he followed the sound, his feet slipping on loose stones. His hands, scarred from years of tending, reached out in the darkness, feeling along the jagged edge of the ravine. Then he saw a small, trembling shape wedged between the rocks, unable to move.
The Shepherd knelt and spoke gently. “I’ve found you.”
The lamb flinched initially, unsure whether this touch was friend or foe. Fear made it struggle, but the Shepherd did not let go. With patience, he freed its fragile body from the crevice and lifted it onto his shoulders.
The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17 ESV
The walk back was long, but the weight was familiar. He had carried many like this before. He knew the rhythm of their frightened hearts, the way they shivered against his neck. And so he walked, speaking softly, his voice a lullaby against the night.
Finally, they reached the fold. He set the lamb down gently, but it did not leave his side. It had learned the sound of his voice, the feel of his arms. It had learned what it meant to be found.
“I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:11
How many times have we been the lost one? Caught in the thickets of sin, curiosity, exhaustion, or fear? How often have we resisted His hands, uncertain whether His touch is meant to harm or heal? And yet, He comes—every time. He does not call from a distance, waiting for us to find our way back. He steps into the night, into the danger, into the ravine, and He carries us home.
Maybe today, you feel lost. Perhaps you have wandered too far or wonder if anyone hears your cry. Rest assured, our Shepherd hears you! He knows exactly where you are. And He is coming for you.
Will you let Him carry you home?
Prayer
God, You who sent Your son, Jesus,
To seek and to save the lost:
May we be found by Him —
Rescued by Him —
Carried by Him —
Led by Him —
So that we can rest in Him
For Your glory and our good. Amen.
