The Parable of the Lost Sheep
Jesus told many parables and this is one that all our churches need to remember. It teaches us that we should seek or go after the lost. If heaven should rejoice over a lost person that is found so should we.
Luke 15:1-5
Jesus was talking to the publicans, which are the tax collectors, who were detested not only by the Jews but by other nations because they were very harsh, greedy and deceptive because of their job. Jesus was also talking to the sinners, who were really bad wicked people who chose to follow after sin.
The Pharisees and Scribes really were not happy because Jesus invited tax collectors and sinners to eat with Him. When Jesus would talk to the sinners He talked nicer to them than He did with them, the Pharisees and Scribes. Jesus told this parable to show that He loved sinners.
There was a shepherd that had one hundred sheep. He loved each one of them and he knew them all by their names. He took great care of his one hundred sheep taking them where they could find good grass to eat and clean water to drink. The shepherd would watch over his sheep to make sure the wild animals would not attack them. That shepherd loved his sheep.
The shepherd would count his sheep often to make sure he had all one hundred of his sheep. If he would discover that even one of the sheep was missing he would hurry out even if it was in the dark to look for his one missing sheep. Because the shepherd loved that one sheep that was lost he would leave the ninety nine other sheep to look for the one.
The shepherd did not care if the sheep was a girl or a boy. He did not care if that sheep was white, black or even if it was blue. He did not care if the sheep was married, single or even divorced. That shepherd just loved his sheep and needed to find the lost one.
The shepherd would leave the ninety nine in the wilderness and go after that one sheep that was lost. He would look everywhere under the bushes and behind the rocks. He would over the high cliffs and low valleys searching for the lost sheep. He would search until he found that sheep he loves so much.
When the shepherd finds his lost sheep he is so relieved and happy. Instead of scolding the naughty sheep and yelling at the sheep or beating the sheep the shepherd takes the sheep in his arms. The shepherd carries the sheep on his shoulders and rejoices.
When the shepherd comes home, he calls all of his friends and neighbors together and tells them to come and rejoice with him. He tells them that he has found his sheep that was lost. It is a very happy time.
Jesus is our shepherd and loves us so very much. Jesus and there is joy in heaven over one sinner that repents and is found and returns to the arms of Jesus. Jesus loves the one lost person as much as He loves the ninety nine people who do not need to repent.
What Can Be Learned From This Lesson?
Today we see there are many kinds of people being turned against and detested. This can also be found in our churches. Maybe it is because the people don’t wear the right kind of cloths, or maybe they smell, have the wrong friends, or has been sick. There are many different reasons for the churches to turn against people. This is wrong.
Jesus instructs us to seek those who are lost. When Jesus finished telling this parable to the Pharisees He reminds the Pharisees that there is more happiness in heaven over one lost person brought back to the LORD God than over ninety nine good people that have not gone astray.
Jesus is our loving shepherd. He loves each one of us and He knows all of us by our names. He took great care of making sure we have our daily bread, and good water to drink. Jesus watches over us and makes sure that we are not attacked by our enemies. Oh how Jesus does love us. Jesus laid down His live for us because He loved His Father in Heaven and loved you and me. The shepherd would watch over his sheep to make sure the wild animals would not attack them.
Cite Article Source
MLA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne “The Parable of the Lost Sheep:.” Becker Bible Studies Library Jan 2015.< https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1902,>.
APA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2015, January) “The Parable of the Lost Sheep:.” Becker Bible Studies Library. Retrieved from https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1902,.
Chicago Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2015) “The Parable of the Lost Sheep:.” Becker Bible Studies Library (January), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1902, (accessed).
