Today’s Scripture
“For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying?” – Matthew 18:11-12 (NKJV)
Introduction: The Pursuit of the One
Common sense says to protect what you have rather than risk it for what is lost. Yet, in one of the most profound parables, Jesus challenges that logic. He speaks of a shepherd who leaves ninety-nine sheep in pursuit of just one that has wandered away. To some, this decision may seem irrational, but in the kingdom of God, love is not about numbers—it’s about the value of every single soul.
This is the heart of divine mercy: God does not settle for “almost everyone.” He pursues the lost, the broken, and the ones who feel forgotten.
The Unreasonable Love of the Good Shepherd
The Shepherd’s Heart: A Love That Pursues
Jesus, our Good Shepherd, refuses to abandon even one lost soul. His love is relentless, not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9). The parable of the lost sheep reveals three powerful truths about God’s love:
- Love Seeks the Lost – The shepherd actively searches for the one who strayed, rather than waiting for it to return on its own. This mirrors how Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10).
- Love Takes Risks – He leaves the ninety-nine, an act that defies logic. This illustrates the depth of Christ’s sacrifice—leaving the glory of heaven to rescue humanity (Philippians 2:6-8).
- Love Rejoices in Restoration – The shepherd doesn’t scold the sheep when he finds it; he rejoices. This is the picture of God’s overwhelming joy when a sinner repents (Luke 15:7).
The Value of One
Human reasoning values quantity over quality, but God’s love values the individual. In a world where people feel overlooked, this parable reminds us that we are never just a number to God. He sees, knows, and treasures every single person.
- He calls you by name (Isaiah 43:1).
- He rejoices over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17).
- He never gives up on you (Psalm 23:6).
If you’ve ever felt insignificant, remember: Heaven celebrates over you.
God’s Mercy in Action
The Power of Restoration
The lost sheep had wandered, but the shepherd did not leave it to its fate. Similarly, no matter how far we stray, God’s mercy reaches out to restore us. The Bible gives us powerful examples of this:
- Peter’s Restoration – Despite denying Jesus three times, Peter was not cast aside. Instead, Jesus reaffirmed His love and mission for him (John 21:15-17).
- The Prodigal Son’s Return – A reckless son, undeserving of mercy, is welcomed with open arms and a celebration (Luke 15:20-24).
- Paul’s Transformation – A former persecutor of Christians became one of the greatest apostles because of God’s pursuit (Acts 9:3-6).
No one is too lost to be found by God.
The Call to Extend This Love
If God pursues us with such mercy, how should we respond?
- Extend Grace to the Wandering – Just as Jesus seeks the lost, we are called to reach out to those who have strayed (Galatians 6:1).
- Celebrate Repentance, Not Judge It – When someone returns to God, our response should be joy, not condemnation (Luke 15:7).
- Trust God’s Relentless Love – If you feel distant from Him, take heart—He is already searching for you.
Conclusion
The parable of the lost sheep is not just a story—it is a revelation of God’s heart. His love defies logic because it values the one. He seeks, rescues, and rejoices over every lost soul that returns to Him. No matter how far you’ve wandered, His arms remain open. His mercy redefines what we think love should look like.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for pursuing me with relentless love. Even when I wander, You never give up on me. Help me to trust in Your mercy and extend that same love to others. May my life reflect the heart of the Good Shepherd. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
