Two of the four gospels (Matthew 18 and Luke 15) record Jesus’ parable about the shepherd who leaves ninety-nine sheep to save one. The ninety-nine are safe and sound while the one has wandered away into uncertainty. The context that surrounds this parable centers around the judgment the Pharisees cast upon Jesus because He “welcomes sinners and eats with them” (Luke 15:2). The Pharisees had constructed a religious system in their minds that exalted self-righteous and excluded people who don’t live up to their expectations (Matthew 23:28). They had added so many rules and regulations to God’s law that no one, even themselves, could live up to them. Enter Jesus, with His way of doing things, confused the Pharisees. He seemed to be from God, but he condemned those who appeared righteous and welcomed sinners. How could this man be from God? 

Therefore, Jesus uses a tactic that he used many times. He tells them a story. Jesus says, 

(Paraphrasing from Matthew 18:12-14)

What do you think about this? A man owns one hundred sheep, and one of them slips away from the rest. Don’t you think that man would and should leave the ninety-nine and go search for the one that has wandered off? And, don’t you know that if and when he finds that one, he is happier about that one little sheep than about the ninety-nine who stayed where they were supposed to stay? That’s the same way God the Father feels about you. He does not want one of you to die. 

The people listening to Jesus understood the relationship shepherds have with their sheep. Still, for us, we might think it strange that a shepherd would leave his flock to look for just one sheep. We might question if it is even worth the risk.

Consider how a father would do whatever it takes to keep his kids safe in the middle of a storm. Or how he would rescue his kids from a burning building. Once he gets all his children to a safe place, does he not count his kids and look over his family to ensure everyone is okay? Of course, he does. 

God is our Father. He looks over His kids and counts every one of them. He rejoices that some have remained safe in Christ but is constantly worried and concerned about missing ones. Where is [ insert your name here ]? Where is [ insert your brother or sister’s name here ]?

Jesus is on a mission looking for the one. He has not abandoned the ninety-nine; they are safe. However, His heart aches for the few who are not with their family. 

This parable speaks loudly to us about how God through Jesus cares and saves us all. How he cares for us and wants everyone to be safe. But, this also sets a great precedent for how Shepherds in the church are on the lookout searching for the one, two, or three who are wandering off. The majority are all together, safe and sound, but a few need to come back. As sheep, we have a responsibility to stay together and, when we slip away to work ourselves back into the fold. However, our shepherds have a responsibility to leave those who are together and look for the one. 

Now, you decide which are you. 

Are you one of the sheep who is safely ready to rejoice with the others when the shepherds and the one that is lost return?

Or…

Are you one of the ones whom the shepherds are looking for? 

I love you,

Alex