I Will Find You
I was watching a Netflix series I Will Find You by Harlan Coben. It was about a man who was wrongly accused of killing his son, only to discover that his son, was still alive. Driven by an unstoppable love, the father escapes from prison, risking everything to navigate dangerous obstacles to try and find his child.
The father’s relentless pursuit of his son sparked something in me. Using the analogy of the father and the son in the series, I began to look at the references to lost sheep in the Bible. Like the father in the series, God searches for his lost sheep and brings them home. In the Bible, the “lost sheep” are sinners, those who don’t know God or those who have strayed in some way in their walk with him. Like the father in the series, God says to the lost, “I Will Find You” and bring you home.
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
Moreover, God’s determination to bring any lost sheep back into the fold truly demonstrates how deeply he loves us as his children. Consider the parable of the lost sheep and how the shepherd leaves behind the majority of his herd to go in search of the one sheep that has strayed and is now lost.
“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? (Luke 15:4 NIV)
There are other references in the Bible to God searching for lost sheep that have gone astray and returning them to his loving and divine care.
“For ‘you were like sheep going astray,’ but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” (1 Peter 2: 25 NIV)
“I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak . . .” (Ezekiel 34:16 NIV)
Isn’t it wonderful that God cares so deeply for us that he will not leave one behind. The one is as important to him as the many.
God Fights for His Lost Sheep
In the Netflix series, the father went through many adversities to find his son, but he kept fighting as the ultimate goal was to bring his son back home. God fights for his lost sheep just like the earthly father did for his son.
“Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!’ declares the Lord. Therefore for this is what the Lord, the God of Israel says to the shepherds who tend my people: ‘Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done.’ declares the Lord.
‘I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 23:1-4)
Isn’t it wonderful to have a Heavenly Father that makes our protection his priority; a priority that brings us back into the fold where we can be safe, nurtured, and have an abundant life. That is the love of a father for his children.
Returning to the Flock
Once the shepherd finds the lost sheep, there is great rejoicing.
And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.” I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. (Luke 15:5-7 NIV)
God wants anyone disconnected from his Word and his Spirit to be back in his loving care.
The Sheep Know the Father
In the series the father finds his son and they are reunited. The son, however, does not remember his father; he does not have any recollection of him because he was young when he was kidnapped. That is where the analogy with this series ends because the sheep know God; they know his voice and that they belong to him.
“Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.” (Psalms 100:3 NIV)
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:27-30)
Isn’t it wonderful that when God finds those who are lost, they recognize his voice. They understand they belong to him.
My Prayer
God, thanks for always leaving the ninety-nine to find the one that is lost. Thanks for us knowing your voice when you whisper, “I Will Find You” and bring you home. Amen.
