"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all," ISA 53:6.

The Lord is so gracious in His condescension to fallen man. He not only has made a way open whereby we can again become reconciled to Him, but He uses such simple illustrations to reveal that way that any person can understand.

In speaking to the house of Israel, the Lord most often used sheep to illustrate His care for His people, because the Israelites were shepherds. King Pharaoh asked Joseph's brethren, "What is your occupation? And they said unto Pharaoh, Thy servants are shepherds, both we, and also our fathers," GEN 47:3.

The fallen nature of man resembles a sheep going astray. Our text says, "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way." Let's examine Scripture's lesson on what causes Christ's sheep to go astray. Peter and David had not been on guard against the sin of Sodom, which was ". . . pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness," EZE 16:49.

Peter fell through the sin of "pride." He boasted, "Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended," MAT 26:33.

David fell through the sin of the "abundance of idleness." He sent Joab, and his servants out to battle, "But David tarried still at Jerusalem." In his idleness He ". . .walked upon the roof. . . and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself. . . And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him," 2 SA 11:1-4.

Christ's sheep also go astray through false teaching. "My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains," JER 50:6.

Christ's sheep are turned "away on the mountains," of sin by the teaching of forgiveness of sin through the blood of Christ without repentance. The Lord Jesus ". . .is come to seek and to save that which was lost," LUK 19:10. He will bring them back in the way of repentance.

Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ tells us there is joy in heaven ". . . over one sinner that repenteth," LUK 15:4-7. A sheep who has gone astray will never return on its own.

When David had "gone astray" in sin he would never have repented, "But God, who is rich in mercy," EPH 2:4, sent Nathan to David saying, "Thou art the man," 2SA 12:7. David repented saying, "I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments," PSA 119:176.

When Peter had "gone astray" in denying his Lord, "He began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak," MAR 14:71. Peter would never have repented on his own, but the Lord Jesus, ". . . turned, and looked upon Peter. . .And Peter went out, and wept bitterly," LUK 22:61-62.

It was that blessed look of love that broke Peter's pride and filled his heart with real penitence. Amen.