In Luke 15 Jesus tells a story where a shepherd searches for a lost sheep. He has left the ninety nine to go after the one. Like a good shepherd, he won’t rest until he is found. Finally, after the search, he puts him on his shoulders and heads back home. 

Have you ever thought about why he put him on his shoulders? Sheep are heavy, dirty, and don’t smell that great. Especially if one has been out roaming alone for a while. 

Why didn’t he use his rod and staff to hurry the sheep along beside him? Or a little leash to lead him? He even could’ve made him follow him back by walking beside him. But no. The shepherd puts him on his shoulders. 

So why did he carry him? 

Sometimes, you need to be carried.

There are times in life when we are crushed, exhausted, or broken. We can no longer walk. We don’t have the strength to follow the shepherd. Even a rod and staff can’t make us get up. That’s where his unfailing love comes in. He puts us on his shoulders and carries us. We lean into his gentle and loving hands as he carries us when we can no longer carry ourselves. Thank goodness he is willing to carry us. When is the last time Jesus had to carry you? 

Jesus does so joyfully! 

Scripture says he “joyfully” puts the sheep on his shoulders and carries him back. If you had to spend the day going after a lost sheep, you might be a little tired and frustrated when you finally found him. You might berate him, scold him, tell him he should know better than to wander off. You might tell him he sure did put you through a lot of trouble. But not Jesus. He is joyful! That’s how God feels about you! You are never a burden, too heavy, or simply “tolerated.” You are a JOY to him! 

Good things should be celebrated within the body of Christ. Scripture says when the shepherd got back he called his neighbors and friends together to celebrate! He wasn’t ashamed of his little lost sheep. He didn’t hide him away. Or put him in a sheep time out. No, he was so happy to have him back! That’s how God feels about you! He’s always happy to have you back! You are never second class in the kingdom. It’s ok to be carried by the Lord sometimes. When what is lost is found, we celebrate! Even heaven celebrates over this! 

So today, let him carry you! Gentle and steady, never letting go, the hands of the Good Shepherd carry you on his shoulders back to the loving safety of home.