Parable of the Lost Sheep
This parable is about a shepherd and his lost sheep from Luke 15:4-7:
4 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. 6 When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!
When Jesus was here on the earth, he dwelt among the lost people because that is who he came for! He made a point to put himself in places where he would come into contact with lost people so that he could hopefully save them. Jesus cares about all people but he never gives up trying to save the lost. He said in Luke 5:31, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.”
What do shepherds do for their sheep? Shepherds know and care for their sheep and probably even name them. They lead the sheep to green pastures to make sure they eat. A shepherd will lead the sheep and try to keep them safely in the group by pulling them back with their staff. Shepherds also try to keep predators away and keep them from attacking the sheep. If a sheep gets hurt, shepherds do what they can to bind any injuries and even carry the hurt sheep, if needed. And if a sheep gets lost, shepherds will fervently seek for that sheep. Shepherds know that the longer the sheep is lost out in the wilderness, the less chance the sheep has to survive; so shepherds will leave the group of sheep that are doing fine and go look for the one that is lost.
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This parable tells us that Jesus is our great Shepherd. He is more concerned
about saving that one lost soul (sheep) than the ninety-nine souls who are
already believers. We, like the sheep, are prone to wander. The wandering
sheep represent a person who has chosen a different path, wandering into sin,
other than choosing to follow Jesus.
Jesus’ heart is for that lost person, and he never gives up or turns his back on
them. A lost soul causes Jesus deep sorrow. Jesus, like the shepherd, is so concerned about the lost person that he does not want to eat, sleep, rest or head home. What he does want to do is bring that lost person (sheep) back into the fold. He knows all the sorts of evil that could befall the lost sheep, and the sheep is almost defenseless. So Jesus leaves the ninety-nine sheep who are fine and goes looking for the lost sheep. He looks everywhere, even in places he would never go if it were not for the lost sheep. Jesus searches and he searches, he does not give up until he finally finds the lost sheep!
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Finding that one lost sheep is cause for such great rejoicing and celebrating! He picks the lost sheep up, pulls him to his bosom, then puts him over his shoulders, and carries him back home to where he calls his friends and neighbors to rejoice over that one lost soul that has been found!
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There are several verses in the Bible that refer to the Shepherd and his sheep. Here are a few:
Ezekial 34:11-12 -- 11 “‘For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. 12 As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.
Isaiah 40:11 -- 11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.
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John 10:11 -- 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
John 10:14 -- 14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.
Psalm 23 -- 1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
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Are you lost today? Will you let The Great Shepherd rescue you today? Just say this prayer, “Lord, I want the salvation that you offer! I trust in you, please save me!”
John 10:27 says, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
