Monday, September 14, 2015

Gospel Gem: The Lost Sheep

 Synergy of Matthew18:10-14/Luke15:1-7

Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, 
That in heaven their angels do always 
behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
 
For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep
and one of them be gone astray, 
doth he not leave the ninety and nine, 
and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?
And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, 
he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.
And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
 
And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, 
saying unto them, 
Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, 
that one of these little ones should perish.
I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, 
more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
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Ezekiel Adds As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. Ezekiel 34:12
 
 "The fact that one sheep was lost was enough to awaken the sympathy of the Shepherd, and start him on his quest. This speck of a world was the scene of the incarnation and suffering of the Son of God. Christ did not go to worlds unfallen, but he came to this world, all seared and marred with the curse. What a holy ecstasy of joy is expressed in this parable!" Review & Herald 1911 E.G.W.