Luke 15:3-7 And he spoke this parable to them, saying,… I. A FACT ACKNOWLEDGED. 1. It reminds us of the sheep's relation to the Saviour. He has an interest in it. "My sheep." His, even before it was found. 2. It reminds us of the sheep's former state. "Lost."(1) As to God. He derived no service or honour from it. (2) As to its fellow-creatures. They derived no benefit from its prayers, example, exertions, influence(3) As to itself. Destitute of all real peace, hope, joy. II. THE SATISFACTION HERE IMPLIED. This is the Saviour's own joy on the occasion. We see this implied, and necessarily implied; for how could He call upon others to rejoice with Him, unless He was rejoicing Himself? How could you, unless you were walking, invite others to walk with you? But this satisfaction of the shepherd is not left at an uncertainty. It is here expressly affirmed. 1. The sheep was Hot conscious of the shepherd's kindness. No. When he laid hold of it, it punted and trembled; and when he was laying it on his shoulder, it struggled, and endeavoured to free itself, and as he carried it off, it wondered what he was going to do with it. It is the same with us, when, to use the words of the apostle, we are "apprehended of Christ Jesus." 2. We may view this joy of the Saviour in contrast with the convert's own connections and friends. Some of these may be alarmed and distressed, and imagine the man is going into distraction, or into despair. They know nothing of "a wounded spirit;" they are ignorant of the methods of Divine grace — how God wounds in order to heal; how He humbles in order to exalt; how He impoverishes in order to enrich; how He empties in order to fill. Hence they often send for the physician when they ought to send for the divine. You remember, that when Christian left the city of destruction and was crossing the field, his neighbours and friends, supposing he was deranged or disordered, cried out, "Stop! return!" but he, putting his fingers in his ears, rushed forward, crying, "Life, Life! Eternal life!" 3. We may review this joy as the result of success. How delightful to the husbandman after months of ploughing and sowing, to go forth and "see, first the blade, then the ear, and after that the full corn in the ear": and then, to "reap with joy" and carry home his "sheaves with him"! How pleasing to the builder, after furnishing the materials, to see the edifice rising in lovely proportion, till the topstone thereof is brought forth, with shoutings of "Grace, grace, unto it." And, oh, what joy did the Saviour experience when "He ascended to His Father and our Father; to His God and our God": after saying, "I have finished the work Thou gavest me to do." 4. Then this joy may be viewed as indicative of His benevolence. 5. This joy of His should be the penitent's encouragement. 6. If this joy be the sinner's hope, it should be the saint's example. He was infinitely more than example, but nothing less. And "he who says He abideth in him, ought himself, also, so to walk even as He walked." If you depend upon Him, you must resemble Him. III. THE DISPOSITION HERE ENJOINED. Not willing to enjoy the pleasure alone, He calls on others to share it. (W. Jay.) Parallel Verses KJV: And he spake this parable unto them, saying, |
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