Connecting the Shepherds with Good News of Great Joy!

This is the final post in a series of 5, connecting New Testament Shepherds with Good News of Great Joy.

I am so thankful that our Good Shepherd is willing to pursue his lost sheep. This being the good news of great joy for His church; when a lost sheep is found!

When this takes place, the church should be in exuberant celebration. If we do not experience great joy when someone hears the Good Shepherd’s voice for the first time and enters into His flock; we’re missing the grand design of the Good News.

We’re missing the grand design of Christmas!

“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!” (Lk. 15:4-7)

This is why the Messiah had to come. That baby in a manger would become the Good Shepherd.

Presents and parties, friends and family are all great things; informally and formally used to celebrate Christmas and the coming of the Messiah. But if the church gets more joy from these things, than lost sheep being found; we’re missing it!

We’re missing why the Messiah came and what Christmas represents to our fallen world.

If you’d like to check out the previous posts in the series, click the following links: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 & Part 4.

Join the Conversation, Share Your Thoughts!

When a lost sheep is found in your church, do the celebrations equal that of Christmas? Should they? Why or why not?