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Earlier this week, as I walked the dog in the early morning, I heard the plaintive cry of a lone goose. 

I’m sure it knew where it was going, headed to rejoin the flock, but its sad cry plucked at my heartstrings. 

The goose, separated from the flock, reminded me of the parables taught by Jesus Christ in the New Testament in Luke chapter 15. 

First, Jesus taught that a true shepherd will leave the flock to rescue the lonely lost sheep, saying, “Likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth” (Luke 15:7). 

Next, Jesus told of the woman who sought diligently to find her lost piece of silver, for “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth” (Luke 15:10). 

Finally, in the great parable of the prodigal son, Jesus told of a father who had faith that his wayward son would return, and despite betrayal and heartache, when his son “came to himself” and returned home, “his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him” (Luke 15:17, 20). 

Christ suffered for each of us individually, He ministers to each of us individually, and He invites each of us individually to come unto Him.

The Savior’s sacrifice for all mankind was infinite in nature and scope. The Book of Mormon prophet Alma testified that Christ would take upon Himself the pains, sicknesses, afflictions, infirmities, and temptations of all people, so that “his bowels may be filled with mercy” and “that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance” (Alma 7:11-13).

For me, some of the greatest scripture stories are those chronicling the Savior’s individual ministering to His people. His tender ministering to Jairus’s daughter (Mark 5:35-43), His encouragement to Peter to increase his faith (Matthew 14:22-33), and His visit to the home of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:2-8) all demonstrate that the Savior’s primary mode of loving and lifting was on an individual level. 

Elder Ronald A. Rasband, an Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, noted instances in the scriptures where Jesus ministered to people and healed them “one by one” (see Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 11:15; 17:9).

Elder Rasband testified: “Certainly, there is a very profound and tender personal message here. Jesus Christ ministers to, and loves us all, one by one.”

Jesus also calls to us, and we make the choice to follow Him and become His disciples one by one. When the Savior invites us to “Come, follow me” (Luke 18:22; Matthew 16:24; Mark 1:17; Luke 9:23), it is an individual call. We cannot ride along on the faith of others indefinitely. At some point, we must make the choice for ourselves. 

No one is lost because Jesus Christ will come to the rescue.

Dr. Brent Roberts is the Branch President in the Sandy River Branch, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and also Assistant Provost for Academic Outreach and Dean of Greenwood Library at Longwood University. He can be reached at brentsroberts@hotmail.com.