LEAVING THE 99

It will never sound logical

And too extreme to be true…

But when Jesus leaves the ninety nine

It’s so He can come to rescue you.

We are all like sheep gone astray

Every single one,

And when the shepherd calls us by name

It’s His desire to lose none.

The lost sheep may wander

And be totally unaware,

But the shepherd is responsible

For its tender love and care.

The shepherd will anoint the sheep

To keep the pests away;

With oil on its precious head

To keep the flies at bay.

The hireling is a thief

And is a wolf in sheep’s clothing;

He comes to scatter and to divide

And to bring all the good to nothing.

He will enter through the gates

And pretend to show much care,

But the true flock is not ignorant

Of his devices and his lairs.

But the Lord is sweet and tender

With His pure and precious flock;

To ensure it is well nourished

And that none are killed or lost.

When the flock is loved and cherished

Sweet and humble it becomes;

Since the unconditional love of the shepherd

Transforms the life of every one.

The ninety nine are well established

But that dear prodigal one…

Needs to return to the safe green pastures

Through the love of God’s own Son.

“What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” Matthew 18:12-14

“For you were like sheep gone astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” 1 Peter 2:25

“All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned every one to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:6

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them.” John 10:11-12