We the Sheeple
The prodigal child and sheep that stray
from the flock and the fold are alike:
Just as the loving Father
gladly restores
the long-awaited
wayward child
who returns,
even so the faithful Shepherd
joyfully embraces
the lost sheep
when he is found.
So come, child.
Return to the Almighty Hand
that held you first.
Return to the One who loved you
before all others.
Return to the One who loves you still.
Come home! Come now!
The fold is safe.
The Shepherd is true.
And the flock is waiting for you.
What do you think? If someone has a hundred sheep, and one goes astray, doesn't he leave the ones that didn't stray, and go into the mountains to find the one which went astray? Otherwise, that little one will be lost, and sooner or later eaten by wolves.
paraphrased from Matthew 18:12 and John 10:10
The wayward son, hungry and alone, thought to himself: I will return to my father. I will say, Father, I have sinned against heaven and you. I understand that I am not even worthy to be called your son, but please make me one of your servants. When he was still a long ways off from home, his father saw him coming. Instead of turning his back on this erring, selfish, rebellious son, he had mercy on him, so much so that he ran to him, grabbed him and kissed him. Then he caused there to be a great celebration - his lost son was found!
paraphrased from Luke 15
We have all gone astray just like sheep, because every of us has turned to his own way at some point for some season (some for a lifetime). But God, the loving Father, laid on Jesus Christ the sin and error of all of us, so that by turning back to Him and believing that Jesus died for our sins and rose again, our fellowship with the holy God could be restored.
paraphrased from Isaiah 53:6
copyright 2009 Penelope Trier Thomas