There IS a way home
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, seeks out every lost sheep. Jesus lifts us in our weakness, unites us in our diversity, and holds us close to His heart. If you've ever felt lost or unworthy, this sermon offers hope and comfort, revealing that God's love has no limits or conditions.
Sermon Summary
In this week’s message, a wandering sheep, and a crying baby remind us that even when life feels chaotic, our Good Shepherd sees us, seeks us, and carries us close to His heart.
Through Scripture, we discover four beautiful truths of Jesus’ shepherding care: He is the Shepherd who seeks the lost, lifts the weary, unites His diverse flock, and holds us close with unfailing love.
No matter how far we wander or how loud our life becomes, Jesus comes for us—joyfully, tenderly, and with a heart that refuses to give up on any one of His sheep.
Reflection Questions
- When have you felt like the “wandering sheep,” and how have you sensed Jesus seeking you in that season?
- What does it look like for you to allow Jesus to carry you instead of trying to walk on your own strength?
- Where might Jesus be inviting you to help create unity within His diverse flock?
In the chaos of our world, it is easy for us to feel lost—like wandering sheep. But, thankfully, our Shepherd, Jesus, doesn’t just welcome those who are well-behaved, those who never stir the waters, or those who seemingly have their spiritual act together. He seeks out the wanderers, the questioners, the ones who add a touch of mess and loudness to life. I find profound comfort in this truth, for if we are honest, most of us have been that wandering sheep. We have all been part of the chaos, disrupting the peaceful nativity scene of an ordered faith.
The Shepherd Who Seeks
Our exploration begins with a well-known parable from Luke 15:4-7. Jesus tells the story of a shepherd leaving ninety-nine sheep to find the one that was lost. The likelihood of this scenario would have caused a first-century audience to pause. Losing just one sheep out of a hundred amounts to just 1%—losses that any business-minded person might deem acceptable. Yet, Jesus flips the script to express a different type of valuation. To God, every single sheep is indispensable. Each has a name, a story, and a place in the flock that cannot be replaced.
Shepherding in the first century was not glamorous. It required rough living, tending to sheep that often wandered into danger and could not find their way home alone. Jesus, as our Shepherd, illustrates God’s heart for us. Whenever we wander—as we all do—He searches for us tirelessly, determined to bring us home.
The Shepherd Who Lifts
Isaiah 40:11 paints a picture of a shepherd who carries lambs close to his heart. When a sheep is exhausted or prone to wandering, the shepherd doesn't scold it. Instead, he carries it in a position of honor, near his heart. Sometimes, life leaves us too broken or weary to walk the spiritual journey alone. In those times, Jesus does not leave us behind with an encouraging but distant chant. He picks us up, carrying us with intimacy and care.
What radical love it is—to be carried by Jesus! It is not a sign of weakness; it is intimacy with our Shepherd. We learn His rhythm and begin to breathe in sync with Him, the heartbeat of God falling in time with ours.
The Shepherd Who Unites
The inclusion of outsiders into the flock is a message found in John 10:14-16. Jesus speaks of bringing other sheep, drastically expanding the Jewish audience’s understanding of God’s inclusive plan. Diversity in God’s family may be challenging but is intentional. Our unity comes not from similarity, but from shared connection to the Shepherd.
Jesus calls us to foster unity and to turn away from divisions based on culture, worship styles, or personal preferences. As we help others hear His voice, not ours, we fulfill part of His divine mission.
The Shepherd Who Holds Us Close
Being held by the Shepherd carries profound significance. Deuteronomy 33:27 illustrates God as our refuge, His everlasting arms cradling us with affection and delight. We are treasured, not merely tolerated. His heartbeat becomes our rhythm, and our lives are molded by His love.
Resting in the Shepherd's Care
Reflecting on the Christmas story reminds us that the Shepherd became a sheep to bring us home. As I consider this, I am often speaking to myself, reminding my restless heart of God’s unwavering pursuit and extravagant love.
If you feel like a wandering sheep, know that the Shepherd is looking for you with love, not condemnation. Picture yourself resting on His shoulders, close to His heart. If you have witnessed this kind of love from afar, today could be your day to experience it anew.
Let us pray together, asking our Shepherd to guide, carry, and unite us in His abiding, relentless love. Remember, Christmas tells the tale of a Shepherd seeking His sheep—a story that welcomes each of us home. Amen.