The story is told of a little North African boy named Abd el Karuzeh. He lived in the limestone caves of Algeria, and, like all his friends, he was a sheep herder. But he felt different, because each of the other boys could point to one lamb in his flock that his father had given to him so he could start a flock of his own. But Abd el Karuzeh had no lamb of his own, for his father owned only six sheep.
Abd el Karuzeh got up every morning at daybreak and took his father’s sheep to the hills. He kept a sharp watch for eagles and hyenas that might harm the sheep. But though he was a good little shepherd, his heart was sad, for he knew he would always be poor; he would never have a lamb to start his own flock.
One evening, when all the sheep herders and flocks were returning, two boys were missing - sons of the Headman. When the evening shadows began to fall, they returned, telling how they had had to leave behind a little lamb that had fallen down a cliff. Its mother had jumped to avoid a snake, knocking the little lamb over the cliff. The boys had tried every way they knew to reach the lamb, but the stones gave way under them and the little twigs growing from the cliff face could not hold them.
Abd el Karuzeh listened closely. In his mind he pictured the helpless little lamb left there to be killed by eagles or hyenas. He stood back from the others, thinking.
Suddenly he decided. Quietly he turned and ran all the way back to the cliffs. He was scared as he thought about going over the cliff, but since he was small, he hoped he could reach the lamb. He could hear bleating, and as he looked down the cliff face he could see the cold, frightened little lamb on a ledge of rock. Could he do it alone? He would be risking his life, but he must save the lamb.
He took off his jacket and began to lower himself slowly until he found a toehold, and then another. Every moment he was in danger of crashing to his death. He clung to the tiny shrubs and inched his way downward until he could jump to the ledge where the lamb stood trembling. He picked it up, put it on his shoulders, and tied its feet together with his belt. Now he wondered how he could climb back up with the added weight of the lamb and the danger of its hoofs hitting the cliff face. He remembered how the toeholds had crumbled and given way under him on the way down, and now there was the added weight of the lamb to think of. He was frightened and wet with sweat.
He suddenly realized there was another danger. He saw his fingers were bleeding, and he knew the smell of blood quickly attracted the wild animals. No time should be lost! He must begin his upward climb right away!
He began to climb slowly and carefully, inch by inch, testing each shrub and toehold before moving farther. He knew an unexpected kick from the lamb might plunge them both to their death in the canyon below. He dared not look up or down - he could only think about his next move. When at last he wormed his body up over the edge onto the path, his heart was pounding so hard and loud that that was all he could hear.
Now there was a new fear - how to get home without being attacked by a wild animal. He saw something gleaming in the distance—something moving. Was it the eyes of hyenas or jackals? Then he heard a shout. It was his father’s voice. He was coming with the Headman, and they were carrying firesticks.
With great relief Abd el Karuzeh unwrapped the lamb from his shoulders and gave it to the Headman. “Here is your lamb,” he said.
The Headman looked at the boy for a moment and then answered, “My sons left this lamb to die. You risked your life. You are torn and bleeding. You are the rightful owner. This is your lamb.”
With his very own lamb in his arms, Abd el Karuzeh returned with the men to the warmth and safety of the caves.
While reading this story, did you see yourself exactly as that little lamb? You are lost in sin and far away from God until the Good Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ, rescues you and brings you safely into His flock. “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him [Jesus] the iniquity [sins] of us all” (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)). Not only was He torn and bleeding, but He died that you might be returned to God. But you must accept His rescue and thank Him for it. Every person is precious enough to the Lord Jesus that He not only risked His life, but gave His life and died for them. Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep” (John 10:1111I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. (John 10:11)).
ML-03/13/2005