I am currently teaching a series to the youth in our church called "Simple Truths". I am putting together this series based on my teachings of all of Jesus' parables, and I am having a great time studying and making these teachings applicable to young people.

Tonight I will be sharing about the parable of the Lost Coin and the Lost Sheep from Luke 15:4-10. It stands to reason that a shepherd in biblical times was often a disliked, if not abhored individual to the upper class folks. A shepherd was considered one who could not be easily trusted, and their testimony was often disregarded in Middle Eastern court proceedings. So why did Jesus choose such a profession to illustrate the great love God has for His children?

Well, let's first consider that Jesus was also called the Lamb of God, and the ultimate sacrifice for all mankind. I believe that the shepherd was often misunderstood in their own culture, and with every profession comes the few who ruin it for the bunch. Most of the reputation that shepherds possessed came from a simple class issue, they were often poor. Much like Christ was born in the poorest of conditions, so the illustration proves that godliness and God's character have nothing to do with wealth.

If we, like sheep, go astray (Isaiah 53:6) from our relationship with the Good Shepherd we are choosing to abandon what is good. Just like a sheep, we will face dangers that would have better odds had we stayed in the shepherds protection. Wolves, snakes, and thieves perhaps would stalk the lost sheep, waiting for a moment to pounce on the solitary animal. When we decide to walk away from God, we face dangers that we are not prepared for. The great news is our Shepherd is always there to rescue us, if we just call out to him.

The shepherd will leave the 99 to rescue the one sheep who needs him. What we must realize in this passage is the job of a shepherd. When a shepherd must leave the herd to find the one who has gone off, he will often find the sheep and break it's legs. Seems cruel, but sheep are dumb-minded and need a painful marker that reminds them not to walk off like that again. We should not despise the chastisement of the Lord, and when we walk away or choose to not follow God the time will come when we will call out to Him. When we do, God will humble us, bring us back and start a fresh work in our hearts. A new spiritually painful marker is set for us to never forget how good God is, and how much we need him.

The closing of each of these parables tells us that heaven rejoices when the precious lamb or the priceless coin of the woman is found. Even though we may go through a painful circumstance or living out a sinful direction for our lives... God is merciful! When we feel most broken before God, heaven rejoices.

A picture forus if I may... While we run to our own wisdom, addictions, and sinful desires that lead us away from God, Jesus ran to the cross and took it all on his own body, mind, and spirit. While were still sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8), and if we are Christians who decide to compromise our relationship because of selfish desires we are crucifying Jesus all over again (Hebrews 6:6).

Tears flow down my face as I recall what Christ did for me and you, and may we all choose to be in the protection of the Good Shepherd!