The Great Parable

by PRASHER, G. | Category: For Young Believers | Jan 1957

(Luke 15).

We regard this as one parable in three parts showing the activity of the Son as Shepherd, the Holy Spirit as Searcher, and the Father who welcomes home the lost one.

King Solomon says,

"The legs of the lame hang loose

So is a parable in the mouth of fools" (Proverbs 26.7).

How different is the case when a parable is in the mouth of Him who is Wisdom! Here we shall find nothing loose or unequal, but rather the setting forth of wondrous truth with exactness and perfection.

It is helpful for us if we keep well before our minds the conditions forming the background for the parable. These we referred to previously when we wrote of the two classes of people who surrounded the Lord in the days of His public ministry, namely, the publicans and sinners on the one hand, and the Pharisees and scribes on the other. Each section of the parable bears with exactness on these two classes of folks.

The story of the lost sheep is well known. We have read about it, heard about it, and sung about it. Let us, however, look at it afresh. Without any doubt the ninety-nine left in the wilderness are a picture of the Pharisees and scribes; the one that went astray, that was lost and then found, is a picture of the publican and sinner. It should have searched the hearts of those self-righteous Pharisees to hear the Lord set forth the truth that in heaven the joy was over the repentant sinner, and that there was no joy in heaven over the self-righteous folks who regarded themselves as needing no repentance.

We trace the Saviour's love, do we not, as we see the Shepherd going out after the lost sheep. What it cost Him to find it we shall never really know.

"None of the ransomed ever knew

How deep were the waters crossed;

Nor how dark was the night that the Lord passed through

Ere He found the sheep that was lost."

Such thoughts fill our hearts to overflowing with love to Him who "loved me," "sought me," "found me," and "saved me."

Let us now note where the sheep is placed when found by the

Shepherd:"He layeth it on His shoulders, rejoicing." This is the place of strength and security. The entire responsibility for bringing the sheep home devolves upon the Shepherd. Thanks be to God He is equal to the task of doing so.

Now while the great parable sets forth the truth of our place of eternal security on the shoulders of the Shepherd, we ask you to think for a moment of the parable in John 10. There the sheep are seen following the Shepherd in the path of the disciple, because they have heard, and know the Shepherd's voice. Here, dear young believer, it is possible for the sheep to stray. We shall be kept in The Way only as we continue to listen to and obey the voice of the Shepherd. You see then how needful it is for us to continue to listen to His voice, and then to follow close beside Him. Remember it is very dangerous to follow afar off (see Matthew 26.58), for, like Peter, we shall get into evil company, and be led to acts that will grieve our Lord.

In closing this brief word we note again the joy that is in heaven. Whilst it is a happy day for the sinner when he is found and saved, a never-to-be-forgotten day, yet what is set forth in the great parable is the joy that is the portion of God in heaven. Does this not recall the scripture in 1 Timothy 1. 11, the gospel of the glory of the blessed (happy) God" ? Yes, there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine righteous persons, which need no repentance."

PRASHER, G. | Jan 1957
For Young Believers