THE PARABLE OF THE LOST SHEEP LUKE 15:1-7 (Matthew 18:10-14) “
Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” So He spoke this parable to them, saying: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.”
Well, Jesus is at it again, offending the religious rulers and professional religious people. This time, Jesus has DARED TO RECEIVE SINNERS AND EAT WITH THEM! The scribes and Pharisees are having hissy fits of revulsion; certainly THEY would never do such an unspeakable thing…And that is exactly the point at which Jesus tells this wonderful story.
Jesus asks those who are proudly criticizing him from a distance what they would do if they had a hundred sheep and one got missing? Jesus is asking men who are so careful about their possessions that they even tithe the dill and mint and cumin in their pantries. Some young religious ruler probably offers the answer while his elders shake their heads over the simplicity of the question. These are men who spend much of their time debating minute religious issues, bringing up points only the highly educated can appreciate. Here’s this upstart itinerant preacher talking about sheep, for goodness’ sake.
The answer is a no-brainer; of course these guys are going to hot-foot it out and search until they find that sheep or else dispatch a servant to do so. Nobody wants to lose a sheep, for sheep are expensive. And of course, once this man has retrieved that sheep, he will bring it home rejoicing as he does so. All the neighbors are going to hear how this man suffered as he searched, how the rain fell and the wind tore at his clothing, how he nearly fell on some rocks, and how he could hear wolves howling in the distance as he plucked the errant sheep from the crevice into which it had fallen. Everybody in the neighborhood will hear these stories and share in the joy.
But the religious leaders are uneasy, shuffling their feet as they stand there. Jesus is telling this story for a reason, and these men aren’t certain they will like that reason. And then Jesus concludes, “I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.” WHAT??? Jesus is saying that these tax collectors and sinners are like that lost sheep? That if one of these men repents, there will be more joy in heaven than there will be over righteous religious leaders? How ridiculous! How insulting! Of course, God must be more pleased with the religious leaders than with anybody else; after all, they work so hard at their religion.
At this point, most of the religious leaders may move out; however, I would like to think that a few who have truly been hungry for God begin mulling over this teaching in their minds. It is said that there were many religious leaders who followed Jesus in secret but who were afraid to follow him openly because they feared being put out of the synagogue and “they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” (John 12:43)
Why is Jesus telling this story? Jesus is speaking to the “sinners and tax collectors” with whom he has been eating. Sharing hospitality and meals builds relationships, and Jesus longs for these men to truly follow God. Jesus wants these men to know just how much God loves them and longs for them to serve Him.
Let’s step out of the story for a bit. Jesus isn’t just telling this story to reach the men with whom he has just broken bread but he is also directing the story at us. Each and every one of us are lost sheep in need of a Shepherd who can save us from our sins. Years ago, Ira D. Sankey wrote a song that graphically depicts this parable.
| There were ninety and nine that safely lay In the shelter of the flock, But one was out on the hills away, Far off in the cold and dark; Away on the mountains wild and bare, Away from the tender Shepherd’s care. |
| “Lord, Thou hast here Thy ninety and nine; Are they not enough for Thee?” But the Shepherd made answer: “This of Mine Has wandered away from Me; And although the road be rough and steep, I go to the desert to find My sheep.” |
| But none of the ransomed ever knew How deep were the waters crossed; Nor how dark was the night which the Lord passed through Ere He found His sheep that was lost. Out in the bleak desert He heard its cry— All bleeding and helpless, and ready to die. |
| “Lord, whence are those blood-drops all the way That mark out the mountain’s track?” “They were shed for one who had gone astray Ere the Shepherd could bring him back.” “Lord, whence are Thy hands so rent and torn?” “They’re pierced tonight by many a thorn.” |
| And all through the mountains, thunder-riven, And up from the rocky steep, There arose a cry to the gate of heaven, “Rejoice! I have found My sheep!” And the angels echoed around the throne, “Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own!” Friends, we are the sheep for whom Jesus has suffered, bled, and died. We are the ones whom Jesus wants to bring back from the wilderness of our sins and failures. If you are not certain of your salvation, ask Jesus to help you and guide you to himself, for he will surely do it. And someday in heaven, you can assure Mr. Sankey that his song has come true in your life. PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, many of us feel like lost sheep with no way of escape. Some of us might not even realize that we need deliverance. YOU are the Way-Maker! You are the Redeemer! You are the One who can deliver us from our messes. Lord, speak to the hearts of all who read these words, that they will confess their sins and follow hard after You all the days of their lives. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen. |
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