December 21st, 2025: Christ the Savior | Luke 15:3-7, Romans 5:6-10

The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. (John 10:13-16).

What is a savior and why is this a foundation of the christian faith?  If you look up the definition you will find that savior comes from the latin word salvare, which literally means to save.  In other words, the savior is a redeemer, a protector, and a deliverer.  So why do we call Jesus Christ the Savior?  In today’s lesson, we have two separate sections of scripture to compare  where Jesus himself taught parables in Luke and where Paul writes in the book of Romans. 

Luke 15: 3-7

And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

These five short verses are directed at both the religious leaders and the sinners gathered around to hear Jesus.  In Luke chapter 14, Jesus has been teaching about mercy, priorities, and the cost of being His disciple.  As Chapter 15 begins, we are told that sinners are present to hear him. Although Jesus very much condemns sin, He is  loving to those caught up in sin’s trappings. The sinners do not fear coming to Him, in fact they seek to hear His words and to understand. Pharisees and scribes are in the crowd also.  The religious leaders are fussing among themselves. They teach the laws of God of course, (and many laws that they have added on their own), yet they separate themselves from sinners and shun those that don’t do the same.They wonder that Jesus would have anything to do with sinners, even to eat with them!   Sadly, they are unwilling to believe what miracles they see or hear to consider their wrongness.  Which group  are you in? This is a very important question. As we study, Jesus’ and Paul’s words may help you decide. 

So Jesus throws alongside his teachings a few parables.  Simple stories that Jesus will use to help illustrate a particular point or lesson that he wants the crowd to ponder. The parable of the Lost Sheep, is one of three parables of lost things in Luke chapter 15.  All three are situations that everyone present can relate to and understand. This is an easy parable even for us non-shepherds. Most commentaries focus on the wayward sheep. While this is a very good analogy, be careful not to read it too quickly, and miss other “additional” points to consider.

How does a shepherd lose a sheep? Most would suggest that the shepherd was busy doing something else, or for whatever reason, preoccupied, not watching the flock at all.  It doesn’t say that the sheep ran off (which could be the case); however,  in this verse Jesus asks about the shepherd. You lost one - so what do you do?  He’s implying that even the best of them, at some point or another, may get off track, miss the mark, sin, become occupied with something else, rather then guard the herd. We know that to be true in our own lives. Yet, what is the difference between flawed human beings and a honorable teacher of God? The ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail. For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed. (Isaiah 9:15-16).

 A good Shepherd will go out to find the lost ones. Apparently, true shepherds know this. Novice or false shepherds may not. Jesus’ point is that the shepherd leaves the herd in the wilderness while he goes to find the lost one.  The  expectation is that the shepherd will seek until He finds it.  Think about business philosophy.  A 99% rate of business is pretty good- after all, you only lost one!  Is it worth that measly 1%  to invest time and extra effort looking for something lost, that might even become lost again? Jesus thinks so.  The Pharisees were the self-appointed shepherds of the sheep of Israel. Yet, they dismissed some sinners as beyond redeeming, beyond rescuing,  and beyond saving. 

Notice this isn’t a baby lamb - light weight and easy to deal with; it is a sheep. When the Shepherd finds the sheep, he picks it up, carries it on his shoulders, and rejoices. This was a burden the shepherd should bear.  Jesus addressed the burdens by the religious leaders in the gospel of Matthew,  Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. (Matthew 23:2-8). The lost will not find salvation in the strapping on of heavy burdens and rules.  They will find salvation through the love of a caring Shepherd. 

 REJOICES! The Shepherd is not mad, yelling, condemning or beating the found sheep; He has great gladness.  When a sinner is saved there is rejoicing and isn’t this the same rejoicing we hope to hear in heaven?   Think of it!  When we get home, there is REJOICING! The same is true for a lost sheep found. 

And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. (Revelation 19:5-6).

 The Shepherd did everything for the sheep. This is a fundamental of the Christian faith.  Our Shepherd, the Good Shepherd Jesus, did everything necessary to rescue us from sin, from the temptation of sin and from the effects of sin.  He searches for us. He cares that we are missing.  He wants us to follow his example.  Is the point of the parable also that the religious leaders are not concerned about the lost sinners?  Are they  distancing themselves from the common and unclean instead of trying to get them back into the fold?  How about you? Do you care about the, contrary, skittish, crazy, unpredictably annoying sheep?  You know, those that takes more time or effort and keeps you away from the good sheep? Sounds like the Shepherd is saying He did, and so we should.

Romans 5: 6-10

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

 So what is Paul saying? We can use what Paul is teaching to fill in the gaps of the parable of the lost sheep.  Jesus is the savior.  Why?  Because we have a spiritual need. We needed to be rescued from the curse of sin.  The sin in the Garden of Eden, left us unable to have a relationship with God. We are weak and wondering about, truly not even realizing the shape that we are in. We are spiritually lost.  But even when we did  not know what was needed, Christ knew.  He died to allow us a way to be saved spiritually, to be rescued, from the lostness of sin and to remove  the wrath of God for our unbelief.  Paul is using his words to show us how unique and extraordinary Jesus’ action as our ultimate Shepherd/Savior was.  We know that very few would die for someone else.  When on the rare occasions that they do , we call them heroes.   Jesus is our Hero. Knowing some would reject his salvation Jesus was nevertheless,  obedient to the Father. He fulfilled the plan of salvation- leaving nothing undone.  The lost sheep that are found spiritually, have abundance and restored access to God.  Living by faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus saves us. The burden was on His shoulders. We need only stay in His flock. Our needs are  met in the reconciliation of our Savior.  We are blessed with favor, forgiveness, an advocate, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and spared from the wrath of God. If you haven’t already, accept the Savior, the Shepherd of our faith.

Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:10-12).

Thank you for studying with us! God bless!