DAY 94 of #100daysofJesus - The Lost Sheep

 

DAY 94 of #100daysofJesus

On more than one occasion, Jesus taught a parable about rescuing a lost sheep.

Jesus taught, "For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost."

Jesus asks, "What man of you, having a 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?"

Sheep are dear to the heart of a shepherd. Shepherds know each sheep in their flock, and the sheep know and love him in return. So of course a shepherd would seek out the one lost sheep, regardless of the effort, and bring it back to be reunited with the others.

Jesus continues, "And when he hath found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost."

The image of triumph and celebration at the reunion of the shepherd with his lost sheep is beautiful. Another indication of the love he has for his sheep.

Jesus then brings it home, "I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance."

We often use this parable as our mandate to seek out fellow Christians who have wandered from the faith. Sometimes all they need is us caring enough to seek them out and invite them back.

Certainly the heavens rejoice when we help rescue one of God's children.

But this parable also speaks to me in another way. I am the one lost sheep. You are the one lost sheep. Each of us is the one lost sheep.

This parable is first about our own rescue where we are the sheep, and second about the opportunity we have to assist Jesus in His rescue efforts.

This is a parable about Jesus rescuing sinners, and don't we all sin and fall short of the glory of God?

Remember Jesus' words that he came to "save that which was lost?"

Part of our mortal experience is being lost and then allowing ourselves to be found by Jesus. He loves and seeks us out as individuals.

While lost, Jesus never stops seeking for us. He won't stop seeking "until he finds [us]."

And when he finds us, there is celebration in heaven. Have you experienced the joy of being found?

It might be nice if this were a "found and done" one-time thing, but the reality is that it's a pattern of repentance and redemption that we experience throughout our entire lives.

I'm so grateful Jesus never gives up on us.

(Luke 15:3-7, Matthew 18:11-14)