Rushing forward in one of the Western Coast trains, which carry the passengers through some of the most rustic and romantic parts of the country, we were admiring the hillsides dotted with white fleecy sheep and lambs, on a lovely summer morning.
The care of the Great Shepherd for the people of His flock, was naturally the subject of conversation of the two companion travelers, who had been “as sheep going astray; but had now returned to the Shepherd.... of their souls” (1 Peter 2:2525For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. (1 Peter 2:25)).
“Did you ever hear of a lamb being deserted by its mother?” inquired my friend, as we watched the gambols of the lambkins,
“No.”
“Well, let me recount an incident which happened somewhere in this district as related by the gentleman himself: —
“A few summers ago I passed the night at the cottage of a shepherd friend. The next morning, I set off to cross the mountains. As I approached the summit of the pass, a little lamb was bleating in tones more sad than I had ever heard before. It seemed to say, as plain as if it were uttering human words,
‘Pity me! help me! save me!’
Yet, thank God, not eternally lost, so we can cry like sinking Peter,
I stopped, and the lamb ran toward me. It was evident that it had been forsaken by its mother, for it was a mere skeleton, and its loosely-hanging skin and sharp features betokened starvation. I could not resist its appeals, so took it in my arms and carried it toward a sheep that was browsing not far off. But the sheep mod away, and the tiny lamb ran back to me, still imploring help. Again I took it in my arms, and carrying it toward another sheep farther off, put it down where some bracken would hide it from me as I rapidly stepped back.
The lamb did not go toward the retreating sheep, but remained where it had been placed, and still repeated its sad cry, ‘Pity me! help me! save me!’
So far ‘lost’ that its companions were of no avail. How like us, of whom it is said, ‘None of them can by any means reem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him’ Psalms 49:77None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: (Psalm 49:7). Our only Saviour must be the Lord Jesus Christ.
I took it in my arms once more, and sat down meditating what I had better do. Should I carry it forward with me till I reached the first house, several miles distant? But might not such an act seem suspicious if I met the owner of the flock? At any rate, I would not, I could not, leave to perish a helpless creature which had cast itself on my protection.
Just then, looking down into the valley, I saw a small object at the foot of the mountain. It came nearer. It was my shepherd friend. I at once showed him my, lamb, and entrusted it to his care.
‘Poor thing!’ said the shepherd; ‘its mother has forsaken, it; they sometimes do when pasture is scarce. It would have died in an hour or two; but I’ll take it down and give it some milk, and it will soon be all right again.’
Then the shepherd took in his arms the little trembling lamb, which at once nestled its head in his bosom, and hushed its pitiful cry. And as this great, strong, tenderhearted man stalked down the mountainside like a giant, bearing his tender burden, I thought of the words of the prophet concerning our Lord Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd: ‘He shall feed His flock like a shepherd, He shall gather the lambs with His arms, and carry them in His bosom’” Isaiah 40:1111He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. (Isaiah 40:11).
Did the lamb struggle against the kindness of the shepherd? Indeed no, feeling itself utterly lost, it was glad to have a saviour of any kind, and doubly glad to have a saviour—willing, able, kind, and true. Hence it was “found.” (Luke 15:66And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. (Luke 15:6).)
Come to Jesus now, and you will find Him a kind, loving, strong Saviour, who will never let you go.
He will carry you safely home to His Father’s House, where you will spend eternity with Him, where all is joy and peace.
ML 08/23/1931