Valuing the Sheep

The Lord Jesus Christ gave His disciples a simple but profound lesson in the close tie between Him and those whom the Father had given Him before the foundation of the world. As the Great Shepherd, He was not willing that a single one of those whom the Father had given to Him and for whom He would shed His blood on the cross should ever be lost. Such is His compassion toward His sheep that He will expend every effort to ensure that every one is in His fold and that any who wander away will be brought back to His care. The rescue of every sheep brings great joy to the heart of Christ, and so it should to all who serve in His kingdom.