“The Precious Sheep”
Luke 15. 1-10
I remember teaching about this same story of the lost sheep at a child evangelism Vacation Bible School. To end the lesson, I fixed on the board a picture presenting the rejoicing shepherd carrying the found sheep laying on his shoulders, and said : « You see, dear children, this is how Jesus rejoices always while carrying everyone of you laying on his shoulders. »
All the children laughed happily but one of them asked me :
– Why do Dad and Mum beat us while Jesus, as for Him, is taking care of us in a so lovely way ?
My answer was : « You know, my little angels, when Dad or Mum beat you, it is because each one of you is The precious sheep Jesus is looking for and so, they are trying to push you on his way so that He can see you and take you and lay you on his shoulders, and kiss you eternally ». All the kids shouted with joy and danced while another one came to me and said :
– Teacher, tell me how I can also become the lost sheep because I want Jesus to come after me and find me and lay me on his shoulders forever ! »
I answered : « Oh, Darling, didn’t you know that you are already on Jesus’ shoulders ? That is the reason why you always hear the birds singing from early every morning and all day long, because they are so glad to see Jesus carrying you on his shoulders day and night ! »
– And why doesn’t He take with Him a bird which sings so wonderfully, the boy continued ?
And I replied : « No, my love, don’t you know that Jesus is the Only begotten Son of God the Creator of everything and of all the birds in this world? If He decides to take only one bird with Him, the millions other birds would weep and never sing again for you!»
Dear Brethren, why couldn’t we also feel like being « The Precious Sheep » that Jesus went after until He found it and laid it on His shoulders ? In our Burundian tradition, sheep were looked at as being sacred animals, the reason why people didn’t eat mutton but kept them to be offered to the ghosts and to Almighty God. Hence, when a woman was found sterile, a traditional rite was organized where the family offered a sheep in sacrifice and beseeched God to bless them with children. When people needed wealth or any other blessing in their life, there was also a special traditional rite called « Ukubandwa » that was conducted to implore « Kiranga », the Burundian ambassador of Almighty God, to provide the blessings after sacrifices with sheep were offered, too. But also sheep in the Burundian tradition are the symbol of highest humility and obedience and full submission.
But I know of another Sheep, the Holy Sheep, the One about whom Prophet Isaiah said :
« He was oppressed and He was afflicted,
Yet He opened not His mouth ;
He was led as a lamb to the slaughter,
And as a SHEEP before its shearers is silent,
So He opened not His mouth. (Isaiah 53.7, KJV).
And I remember a certain humble man of God telling us that Heaven will be filled only with « Precious Sheep » who shall look like the Lamb of God as they will have accepted to keep silent in all the trials they encountered in this world just as Jesus did, and thus « become men and women of sorrows and familiar with suffering » as Jesus was, giving joyfully to those who ask from them, feeding the hungry and assisting the poor and the needy without hindrance.
Yes, « They are blessed as they are THE PEACEMAKERS ; for they shall be called the children of God »(Matt. 5.9)
PRAYER: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for takimg care of all the PRECIOUS SHEEP that follow you in this world. I love You, Jesus!
In Christ’s love
Bishop, Dr. Justin Baransananikiye
President,
CHRISTIANS STRENGTHENING CHRISTIANS,
http://iprayforyou.worthyofpraise.org
http://christiansstrengtheningchristian.doodlekit.com/blog
Email : baransajust@gmail.com