Some of you may be aware that my maternal grandfather, Chester W. Burdette, was a Baptist preacher. He served the Lord faithfully for many years. Upon his passing, I was privileged to be given his Bible. It is literally worn and molded to the print of his hand from years of his having held it while he persistently preached the Word of God.
How that possession has been cherished down through the years. As might be expected, being a Pastor's Bible, it is riddled with handwritten sermon notes, ideas, outlines, cross-references, and the like. Curious enough, however, I never found but one other thing inside its pages: a copy of a poem by C.C. Miller titled: “T’Was the Sheep”.
The well-worn, folded piece of paper is barely legible. When I opened it for the first time, I could tell it had served him well down through the years. To this day, each time I revisit it, I am reminded of the awesome responsibility I bear as one who proclaims the gospel.
I am posting a copy of this poem here today in the hopes that it may also challenge you. For all believers are called to proclaim the Word. You see, my friend, as a follower of Christ, even if you are not a "Pastor", you are still a "Preacher". We all are. And because of this, we all share the same basic responsibility to nurture the flock of God. Here is a subtle reminder of just why that is so true…
T’WAS A SHEEP
‘Twas a sheep not a lamb that went astray
In the parable Jesus told.
‘Twas a grown sheep that wandered away
From the ninety and nine in the fold.
And out on the hilltop, and out in the cold,
‘Twas a sheep the Good Shepherd sought.
Back to the fold and back to the flock,
‘Twas a sheep that the Good Shepherd brought.
Now, why should the sheep be so carefully fed
And cared for even to-day?
Because there is danger if they go wrong,
They will lead the lambs astray.
The lambs will follow the sheep, you know,
Where’er they wander–where’er they go.
If the sheep goes wrong, it will not be long
Till the lambs are as wrong as they.
So still with the sheep we must earnestly plead,
For the sake of the lambs to-day.
If the lambs are lost, what a terrible cost
The sheep will have to pay!
SOURCE: Available widely on the internet. See, for instance: http://www.happypublishing.com/blog/twas-a-sheep-not-a-la
mb-that-strayed-away/. Note here that there are slightly differing versions of the poem.
How that possession has been cherished down through the years. As might be expected, being a Pastor's Bible, it is riddled with handwritten sermon notes, ideas, outlines, cross-references, and the like. Curious enough, however, I never found but one other thing inside its pages: a copy of a poem by C.C. Miller titled: “T’Was the Sheep”.
The well-worn, folded piece of paper is barely legible. When I opened it for the first time, I could tell it had served him well down through the years. To this day, each time I revisit it, I am reminded of the awesome responsibility I bear as one who proclaims the gospel.
I am posting a copy of this poem here today in the hopes that it may also challenge you. For all believers are called to proclaim the Word. You see, my friend, as a follower of Christ, even if you are not a "Pastor", you are still a "Preacher". We all are. And because of this, we all share the same basic responsibility to nurture the flock of God. Here is a subtle reminder of just why that is so true…
T’WAS A SHEEP
‘Twas a sheep not a lamb that went astray
In the parable Jesus told.
‘Twas a grown sheep that wandered away
From the ninety and nine in the fold.
And out on the hilltop, and out in the cold,
‘Twas a sheep the Good Shepherd sought.
Back to the fold and back to the flock,
‘Twas a sheep that the Good Shepherd brought.
Now, why should the sheep be so carefully fed
And cared for even to-day?
Because there is danger if they go wrong,
They will lead the lambs astray.
The lambs will follow the sheep, you know,
Where’er they wander–where’er they go.
If the sheep goes wrong, it will not be long
Till the lambs are as wrong as they.
So still with the sheep we must earnestly plead,
For the sake of the lambs to-day.
If the lambs are lost, what a terrible cost
The sheep will have to pay!
SOURCE: Available widely on the internet. See, for instance: http://www.happypublishing.com/blog/twas-a-sheep-not-a-la
mb-that-strayed-away/. Note here that there are slightly differing versions of the poem.