I'm Lost - Seek Me!

I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant,
For I do not forget Your commandments.
Psalms 119:176 (NASB95) 

I have a recurring nightmare about being lost. It might be about being lost on campus at college, being lost in a parking garage looking for my car, etc. In my last nightmare like this, I was trying to rescue my son who was hanging high up in a tree dying. As I desperately sought help for him, I got lost in a parking garage (dreams wander), and I never found my car or anyone to help. Then I woke up.

The feeling of being lost and helpless is profoundly disturbing and usually leaves me haunted for hours after I wake up. If you have similar dreams, you might understand what that feels like.

It’s intriguing and prophetically significant that the last verse of this very long Psalm is the servant's confession of straying from God. It brings to mind a verse in Isaiah, where the suffering Messiah bears the burden of our sin and shame.

All of us like sheep have gone astray,

Each of us has turned to his own way.

But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all

To fall on Him.

Isaiah 53:6

In the last verse of the Psalm, the servant pleads with his Shepherd-Lord to seek him, because even though he has committed himself to the commandments, he just can’t find his way. He is alone and helpless, and the Law alone can’t save him. As much as he tries to follow all the commandments, he only finds himself more and more lost. If this sounds familiar, you are not alone.

The Lord actually wants you to seek HIM, even if you find yourself stuck in a place where there seems to be no escape. This is the very place where the Lord will seek YOU! All you have to do is call on Him with your whole heart and He will come running...

‘Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 

‘You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.' 

Jeremiah 29:12-13

There is a man whose name is Salvation, who sits at the right hand of God, who is constantly interceding for you. If you hear his voice, you are a sheep in his flock. Today if you hear his voice, do not harden your heart. Jesus knows the way out of whatever trouble you are in if you trust and follow Him! 

Lord Jesus, I pray for whoever is reading this - that You will come quickly to their aid, bringing healing, salvation and deliverance. I pray that You will give them strength, patience, and endurance in whatever situation they are in. It's because of Your holy name we pray - according to Your will let it be done.

Amen! 🙏

Tending His Sheep

As Jesus prepared for His crucifixion, He appointed Simon Peter to shepherd His disciples, after they were scattered and Peter denied knowing Him. 

"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded [permission] to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." Luke 22:31-32 (NASB95)

The scattering of the sheep was the fulfillment of Zechariah's prophecy.

Then Jesus said to them, "You will all fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, 'I WILL STRIKE DOWN THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK SHALL BE SCATTERED.'

Matthew 26:31 (NASB95)

After Jesus' resurrection, John records this threefold call of Peter to shepherd His flock. Many Bible commentators see this as Peter's restoration following his threefold denial of Christ before the crucifixion. The verses illustrate the tender love of the Chief Shepherd for his followers. I want to point out some words you may have missed in these verses.

John 21:15-17 (NASB95)

15 So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My lambs.” 

• Love Me - agapas me - Do you love me with dedication?
• Love You - philo se - I love you with affection 
• Tend - boske - feed
• Lambs - ta arnia mou- my lambkins

Little lambkins are cute, soft, easy to lead and feed. They are also easy prey and need special attention from the shepherd.

16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” 

• Love Me - agapas me - Do you love me with dedication?
• Love You - philo se - I love you with affection 
• Shepherd - poimaine - lead, rule
• Sheep - ta probata mou - my sheep

Sheep are not so cute like lambkins; their wool is scratchy and they might be covered with grass stubble and stickers. They can be stinky and not so cuddly too. Sheep need a shepherd to keep them out of trouble and lead the flock to safe pastures of green grass. They need a strong, courageous shepherd to defend them from wolves.

17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep.”

• Love Me - philo me - Do you love me with affection?
• Love You - philo se - I love you with affection 
• Tend - boske - feed
• Sheep - ta probata mou - my sheep

Jesus’ third command is most touching, since He asks Peter -as a friend- to tenderly care for those stinky old sheep. That includes the ones that push smaller ones aside to get closer to the Shepherd, the ones that get sidetracked looking for their own greener pastures, even those getting lost and into trouble in the darkness. Not just to rule and lead them, but to care for and feed them.

Peter gives the elders of the early church this advice as he approaches his own prophesied crucifixion:

Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 1 Peter 5:1-4 (NASB95)

The call of Jesus on Peter's life is meant for all shepherds of the Lord's flock, whether the pastor of a large church or the father of a small family. All followers of Christ need an earthly shepherd who models the loving affection of our Lord and Savior Jesus!