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Good evening, little lambs. Tonight's story is called The Third Stone and Come and See, inspired by the Gospel of John one forty five fifty one. Tonight, Jesus already sees you before a friend calls your name, before you walk up the hill, he knows the true things you do when you think you are alone. Honest questions are welcome, and when you are not sure, a friend does not have to argue. A friend can say Come and see. In the Gospel of John chapter one verses forty five through fifty one, that is what happens. And so tonight we're down by the lower creek where a wiry lamb is setting one last stone, and a new friend is coming to find him. The afternoon was still hot. The creek was only a thin silver ribbon. Little fish flicked in a shrinking puddle. A wiry lamb with wool the color of dry grass pushed a third smooth stone into the mud. Water pooled. The little fish had room again. His name was Thistle. He lived in the lower meadow. He had never climbed Shepherd's Hill. There, he told the fish, stay. Hooves came down the path. A little brown lamb, grass seeds still in her wool, stopped at the bank. Yesterday she had climbed Shepherd's Hill with a still warm loaf Mama sent for Jesus, the son of the living God, and she had put that loaf in the right hands. Thisle, said Hazel, I found him. The one mamma meant. His name is Jesus. Come and see. Thistle kept one hoof on the third stone. The puddle shivered. You went to that little dusty hill, he said. He did not sound mean. He sounded puzzled, the way a lamb sounds when a jar will not open. Can anything that good live on a little hill like that? I say what I think. What if I get there and it is only dust? Hazel did not argue. She did not make a long speech. She held out a hoof. Come and see. Thisle looked at the fish. If he left, the third stone might slip, and the puddle would run away. The fish, he said. We can set it deeper first, Hazel said. They pushed the stone until it sat firm. Then they walked. Dust puffed around their hooves. The hill smelled like warm grass. Clover's blue scarf showed at the top, and biscuits golden tuft, and quiet, dark fleeced mat. Old Woolly's silver grey fleece shone. Jesus was sitting in the grass. He looked at each of them as if that lamb were the only lamb in the meadow. He smiled when he saw Thistle coming. Here is a lamb who tells the truth, Jesus said. He does not hide what he thinks. Thistle stopped. His ears went sideways. How do you know me? he asked. You have never been to my creek. Jesus' voice was plain. Before Hazel called you, I saw you. I saw you set the third stone so the little fish would have water. Thistle's mouth opened, then it shut. The hot day felt suddenly kind. You saw that? he whispered. I thought I was alone. You were not alone, Jesus said. I know you. Your honest question is welcome. Come close. Thistle came close. He sat in the grass. He looked at Jesus the way you look at someone who has already been looking at you. Then you really see us, Thisle said. You are the one God sent. I want to stay. Jesus' face was glad. You believe because I told you I saw the third stone, he said. You will see greater things than these. Stay near me. I bring my father close. You will see more good than you can count. Thisle looked up. The first evening star was out, small and sure. Old Wooly's voice felt like sitting next to a fire. A friend says come and see, he said. The shepherd has already seen. Hazel sat down too. Clover's sprig stood bright. The fold grew quiet. Down the hill the third stone still held the little pool. And so tonight we learn that Jesus already sees us, even the true small things we do when we think no one is looking. Honest questions are welcome. When we are not sure, we do not need a long argument. We can come and see, and he promises even greater things. Who could you invite to come and see Jesus? And what is one honest thing you could tell him tonight? Let's close our eyes now, safe on the green hill held by the shepherd who saw us first. Jesus, you saw me first. Thank you for knowing me. Help me tell the truth and say come and see. Amen. Good night, little lamb. God loves you so much. Sweet dreams.