The One

Painting by: Kevin Carden

Ninety-seven, ninety-eight, ninety-nine…where is the One hundredth?

One has left the flock…

Calling out, only silence is heard. Looking at the ninety-nine I’ll have to leave them behind and go search for that one.

The one, has gone to look for greener pastures. He’s crossed brooks and fields and stoney ground, not thinking that he is lost and can’t be found. Caught up in his own pursuits…no worries…oblivious to the dangers lurking behind each thrill…

He finds himself in the middle of a meadow, as the sun begins to go down…he looks up, frightened, fear has him bound.

His thoughts racing, “Where is everyone? The Shepherd is nowhere in sight. I am completely and utterly alone…bah…bah…cries the one.”

He runs to a nearby cliff but before he can catch himself, he falls over the side and lands on a ledge overlooking a steep ravine. “Bah! Bah! Bah!” He bleats. He’s caught in a briar bush, and he can’t move his feet.

Lying down in the tiny spot, wishing with all his might that he, had not, taken his eyes off of the Shepherd.

Shivering in the bitter cold…the stars watched the one lost sheep. There was nothing he could do but weep. Then up above him the howling began, oh how he shook with fear, was this to be his end? Closing his eyes he said a prayer, “Good Shepherd if you can hear my tiny heart, I promise I will never part from you again…if you will only rescue me from this terrible spot, I’ve gotten myself in, amen.”

The Shepherd called out upon the wind, looking earnestly for the one, and then, he heard the baying sheep crying in desperation.

Hearing the Shepherd’s voice once more he cried louder, “Save me Lord!”

Upon the cliff high above, came the Shepherd’s staff.

Lifting the one, up out of the danger and hugging him to his breast…they both began to cry and laugh safe in the Shepherd’s arms at last.

The one, had been restored.

And when they reached the ninety-nine, they all rejoiced for the one was returned, never to be lost again!

The end!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill September 27, 2023

Matthew 18:11-13

Amplified Bible

For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.

Ninety-nine Plus One ^“What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them gets lost, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountain and go in search of the one that is lost? And if it turns out that he finds it, I assure you and most solemnly say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that did not get lost.