Seeking lost sheep.
I. THE SHEEP ARE LOST. Israel was scattered among the nations like sheep that have wandered from the fold and are lost in the wilderness. Souls have been scattered from their shelter and have wandered into distant places. Note some of the characteristics of the lost sheep.
1. They were originally in the fold. This refers to Jews rather than to heathen, to backsliding Christians, to children of Christian homes; but also in a general way to all, because all men begin life in innocent childhood not far from the besom of God.
2. They have gone into distant places. Israel was driven abroad locally; souls depart from their homes spiritually,
3. They were scattered. No bond of union remains. The flock, which was a unit, becomes broken, and there are now only separate sheep. Error and sin disintegrate society.
4. They were lost in darkness. The disaster happened "in the cloudy and dark day." The time of doubt, trouble, or temptation is one of danger. Then souls may be cast adrift for want of wise and tender shepherding.
5. They suffered through the neglect of the shepherds. The great sin is that of the faithless leaders.
II. THEY ARE SOUGHT. The shepherds lost them; God seeks them. God himself desires that the lost should be restored. For he values them as the farmer values his flock. It is not a matter of indifference to God that souls should perish. He does not leave the sheep to come home, prepared to welcome them on their return; he seeks them. He does not only hold himself ready to welcome the returning penitent. He goes forth to seek him. The housewife sweeps the house to find her lost piece of silver (Luke 15:8). The father goes to meet the prodigal son (Luke 15:20).
1. God seeks by his providence. The movements of life should bring us back to God.
2. He seeks by his prophets. Ezekiel was seeking the lost sheep. The Bible is sent forth as God's means of seeking the lost. So is all true preaching of the gospel.
3. He seeks by his Son. Christ came first to seek "the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matthew 15:24), and then all lost sheep. Christianity is a search for the lost.
III. THEY ARE FOUND. "I will bring them out from the peoples," etc. When God finds a soul, he restores it. He may find it in the wilderness; if so, he will not leave it there. The shepherd may find his sheep buried in the snow; it may be hard to dig them out; he may even have to carry them home on his shoulders. If he is strong enough he will do this. God not only finds; he restores.
1. He brings the sheep home. Israel is restored to her own land. Souls are restored to their home in God.
2. He feeds them. They must be hungry in the wilderness, far from the green pastures. So "he feeds them upon the mountains of IsraeL" The father kills the fatted calf for his restored son. Christ gives his body as bread of life for his people.
3. He refreshes them. The sheep are led "by the rivers." They thirsted in the wilderness; now they can drink and live. God gives new life and peace to his restored children. Christ gives "living water" (John 4:10). When God finds a lost soul, that soul is safe—restored, fed, refreshed by his grace.