“What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.” Luke 15:4-6
My Summary & Reflection
In this parable, Jesus describes a shepherd with a hundred sheep who loses one. He leaves the ninety-nine behind and goes after the lost sheep until he finds it. When he finds the sheep, he carries it on his shoulders while rejoicing. He calls together his friends and neighbors to celebrate with him because he found the sheep which had been lost.
To put this parable in context, this parable was provided after murmuring from skeptics about why Jesus would associate himself with sinners. Jesus notes, after delivering this parable that, “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” Luke 15:7
One theme of this parable is that every individual is important. To the shepherd, it’s not enough that he has the majority of his sheep accounted for. His concern is for the one that is lost. That’s the one that needs his help. That’s the one that needs his attention. In this parable, God is the shepherd and people are his sheep.
This theme may have some negative connotations in today’s speech. Sheep are thought of as mindless creatures who follow the shepherd without question and without thought. To be called a sheep today might mean that the person believes you lack discernment and thoughtfulness. However, in Jesus’ time and in some agrarian cultures today, a sheep was an important piece of the livelihood for the shepherd. And each sheep is kept under the care of his shepherd who watches over it, keeps it fed, and makes sure it is safe from harm.
So, Jesus appears to be saying that if you are lost, know that the shepherd is looking for you. Know that God wants you back and will rejoice when you return safely to his care.
Your Reflection
- Have you ever felt lost?
- Does it help to know that the God is looking for you and wants to have you back with him?
- How can you begin to make your way back?