The Love that bring us back

 

Luke 15:4-5 presents one of Jesus' most beautiful parables, the Good Shepherd seeking his lost sheep. In Luke 15:4-5, we read: "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home." This passage illustrates the immense love and care of God for each of us. Even when we stray from the path, the Good Shepherd never gives up on us. He seeks us with patience and tenderness until He brings us back to the safety of His presence.

How often, in the midst of our daily struggles, do we feel lost, like that sheep wandering away from the flock? The emptiness, the sense of loneliness, and the search for answers in the wrong places make us feel disconnected and directionless. Yet, just like the shepherd in the parable, Jesus sees us in our distress and comes to our rescue. He not only finds us, but He carries us on His shoulders, easing our burdens and leading us back home. This image is powerful because it shows that we don’t have to walk alone; the Good Shepherd supports us, bearing our weight and giving us rest.

This relentless pursuit of Jesus reflects His sacrificial love, as described in John 10:11: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." The Good Shepherd doesn’t just find us; He has already given His life for us so that we may be saved. His love is unconditional and transcends any mistakes or distance. He calls us to return, not with condemnation, but with a love that restores, embraces, and brings peace.

When we feel lost, it is common to seek refuge in temporary things—work, distractions, achievements—that ultimately do not fill the emptiness in our soul. But true rest and joy are found in being near to God, in serving Him with a grateful heart. As Proverbs 3:12 reminds us: "For the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in." God’s correction is not a punishment but a gesture of love, drawing us back to the path of life.

After being rescued by the Good Shepherd, a desire is born in our hearts to serve Him with joy. Psalm 100:2 urges us: "Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs." Serving God is not a burden, but a response of gratitude for His love. When we understand what He has done for us, our hearts are filled with a deep desire to be with Him, to be part of His plan, and to live according to His will. Service is an expression of our love for the One who loved us first.

In moments of separation, it is comforting to know that Jesus calls us back, as Matthew 11:28 reminds us: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Jesus is the door through which we can return home, to the presence of the Father. Even when we feel unworthy or distant, He welcomes us with open arms. He offers us peace, a true rest that only we can find in Him.

And when we finally return home, there is an indescribable joy. The search ends, and the restlessness fades away. Being with the Good Shepherd is more than just living – it is living in fullness, with security and purpose. He has brought us back to where we always belonged. As John 10:9 says: "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved." Salvation provides the rest our soul longs for.

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, finds us where no one else can. His love is unconditional, and He never gives up on us. Even when we are lost, He carries us back on His shoulders, restoring us to the safety and peace of His embrace. May we respond to this love by always returning to Him, trusting in His protection, and serving with joy the Lord who has rescued us.