Seeking the Lost

This morning on the news I saw a story where three elk were spotted on 840 near the Carters Creek Pike intersection at Burwood. While that may sound strange, I had a hunch that they might have escaped from captivity somewhere locally. I have seen elk kept in pens here in middle Tennessee. Sure enough, the report was that they had gotten loose from their owner, and he was unwilling to go after them. The TWRA reported that the owner would be liable if these elk caused a traffic accident. I began to wonder why he didn’t want to go after them, because they belonged to him.

As Christians, we are the sheep who are in the care of the Good Shepherd (Jn. 10:11). If any among our number strays and wanders away from the fold, we know that the Lord wants us to come back. Examine the words of the Lord when He was responding to the shepherds, the spiritual leaders of Israel who had not taken care of the sheep: “For thus says the Lord God, ‘Behold, I Myself will search for my sheep and seek them out...I will seek the lost, bring back the scattered, bind up the broken, and strengthen the sick...’” (Ezek. 34:11,16).

One of the ways the Lord seeks after His sheep who have strayed from the fold is by using His shepherds. The elders of the church are those who have the responsibility of watching after the souls of those in the congregation. In speaking of the elders’ responsibility to the church, the writer of Hebrews says “...they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account...” (13:17). This is a responsibility of the eldership which cannot be taken lightly, as souls are at stake. Those who are shepherds have to be concerned about the spiritual well-being of the sheep, and when they go missing a search and rescue effort must be attempted.

Another of the ways the Lord seeks after His sheep who have wandered away is by using the sheep who are still in the fold. James says: “My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth, and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins (5:19-20). Also in reference to bringing someone back to where they need to be, Paul says:

 “Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted” (Gal. 6:1).

So not only is it a prime responsibility of the shepherds of the flock of God, but it is also our personal responsibility as Christians to attempt to rescue the sheep that have gone astray. Do you know someone who has strayed from the flock? Has anybody contacted them? The Lord is concerned about His sheep, and we who are part of the flock whether as sheep or His shepherds need to be searching. Jesus said “’What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it?’” (Lk. 15:4). Let us make sure we are seeking the lost.