MR. BAKER was on his way to visit an old man. As he walked along, he prayed that the Lord would give him the right words to say to the old man, for he didn't intend to visit just to cheer him up, but rather to speak to him about the need of his soul.
When he finally reached the little house in which the poor old man lived, he found him sick in bed. He sat down beside him, and they began to chat in a friendly way about this and that.
Presently the old man began to talk about his boyhood days, when he used to take care of sheep for his father.
One night when he brought his sheep home and counted them, he found that one was missing. He was sure his father would feel bad about it, so he decided he would not tell him at all. He just sat down to his supper, and then went off to bed. But he could not go to sleep. He kept thinking of that lost sheep, wondering where it might be. Without saying a word to anyone, he quietly slipped out the back door, and started off by the light of the moon to try to find the sheep.
He wandered about for hours, until at last he was sure he heard the sound of bleating. Eagerly he followed the noise, and soon found his sheep, tied by its leg to a strong pole. Ah, the sheep was not only lost, it was a captive! Right near at hand, he could see a gypsy camp. He knew that the gypsies had probably stolen his sheep, and intended to have mutton for their dinner the next day!
Quickly he cut the cord and led the sheep home to be placed safely with the others.
It took the old man a long time to tell that story, for he seemed to be living again all the details, and when the story was finished he had a faraway look in his eyes.
Slowly and lovingly, Mr. Baker began to tell him that he -was just like that lost captive sheep. "All we, like sheep, have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way." Isaiah 53:66All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6). The old man knew it was true. He knew that he was a sinner, and I think he knew too that Satan had tried hard to keep him as his slave. But the rest of the story was just what he needed. Mr. Baker reminded him that the lost sheep was a hopeless captive, and could never have returned home by itself. If a rescuer had not come along, the sheep would have lost its life.
And then he had the joy of telling the dear old man that the Lord Jesus had come all the way down from heaven to seek and to save lost sinners. "And the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all." Yes, that is the rest of the verse. It cost the Lord Jesus His own life to save us! What a wonderful story. It seemed to be just what the old man needed. Eagerly he listened, and at last he owned that he was just like that lost and captive sheep. Gladly he accepted the Lord Jesus as his own Saviour, and another captive was set free.
Perhaps it is hard for boys and girls to realize that they are lost, but it is true just the same, for it is the lost whom Jesus came to save. And perhaps it is harder still for them to realize that they are captives of sin and. Satan, but that is just as true. Only the Lord Jesus can save and deliver you, and He is waiting to do it now.
Messages of the Love of God 3/30/1958