Lost by straying away

The following is an interpretations of parable of Jesus about the lost sheep.

 

Jesus almost certainly told the parables in greater colour and detail than the recorded versions in the Gospels. So shall I.

 

We do not hold these out as the "correct" interpretation. They are my reaction to the story written in the Scriptures.

 

Lost by straying away

 

"Baa-aaah. A frightened cry unheard.

One of a hundred has

Strayed away.

The grass is greener over here it thought

This way, that way, a dozen wrong turns

Not deliberate rejection and rebellion

Just strayed away

Seduced by short-term gain

 

Now the sheep has lost the Shepherd

Now it doesn't know the way home

Now the flock had gone.

Alone, afraid, helpless

Strayed into the Darkness of Death's Valley?

Ruled by wolves, exposed as prey for the lion  

As good as dead.

If only it could find the shepherd

 

Lost

Helpless

Afraid

Dead

 

Where could that silly sheep be,

The Good Shepherd counts again,

"Fluffy", "spotty", "nimble", ...

ninety eight, ninety nine,

"Black-ears" was not there.

I can't leave Blacks-ears exposed to the wolves.

 

Every sheep is precious

He knows them all by name

 

He leaves behind the 99

He takes his crook, coat and light

Out into the night

Risking, his life for a wandering sheep

 

He searches diligently

"I must find Black-ears before the wolves do.

 

Listen!!

The sound of a frightened sheep.

 

Found

His precious sheep,

 

He takes it on his shoulders

Safe from the wolves

Alive

No longer lost, No longer dead

 

They all celebrate the one lost sheep

that was lost and is found

Every sheep is precious

 

Lost by neglect

Lost by ignorance

Lost by straying

Lost by losing touch with the Shepherd

Lost and don't know the way home

 

Prey of the wolves

The wolves of evil, oppression, greed, self-indulgence

That devour the soul.

 

How we have strayed,

A little here, a little there

Then one day we find ourselves,

Lost, Afraid, helpless, alone

Not knowing the way home

 

Waiting for the day when our messed-up lives

Are lost and devoured by the wolves

Or found by Shepherd and taken home

 

[John George]