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 on my way to Buttermere. 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!”
One good thing that lamb realized it was “lost” (Luke 10:1010But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, (Luke 10:10)). So many boys and girls think they need to grow up, fight, drink, swear, and commit great crimes before they can be called “lost"; whereas the Scripture makes it plain that we were born lost (Psa. 58:33The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies. (Psalm 58:3)), and by nature are lost sinners (Eph, 2:3). Yet, thank God, not eternally lost, so we can cry like sinking Peter, “Lord, SAVE ME.” Matt. 14:3030But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. (Matthew 14:30).
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 moved 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 rained where it had been placed, and still repeated its sad cry, “Pity me! help me! save me!”
This little lamb was 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 redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him.” Psa. 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 for “there is none other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:1212Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12).
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, tender-hearted 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.” Isa. 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, for feeling itself utterly lost, it was glad to have a Saviour—willing, able, kind, and true. So it was not long till 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 be among the lambs folded in His bosom, “and when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away,” (1 Peter 5:44And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. (1 Peter 5:4)) reserved in heaven for you.
ML-05/22/1960