The lost sheep
Today's focusJesus welcomes sinners and tells of a shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to find the one lost sheep, and of heaven's joy over one who repents.
Read
1Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. 2And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. 3And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 4What 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? 5And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7I 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.
Reflection
In this passage, we see Jesus purposefully welcoming those whom others rejected. While some "murmured" because he "receiveth sinners, and eateth with them," Jesus responded with a story about the relentless heart of God. He describes a shepherd who has "an hundred sheep" but realizes "one of them" is missing. Instead of being content with the majority, he leaves the others "in the wilderness" to "go after that which is lost, until he find it."
You may sometimes feel like that one lost sheep—wandering, separated, or overwhelmed by your own mistakes. This passage reassures you that you are not forgotten. Jesus does not wait for the sheep to find its own way back; he seeks it out. When he finds you, he does not respond with anger or punishment. Instead, "he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing." You are carried by his strength. The result of your return is a celebration that reaches beyond this world, for "joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth." Your life is of immense value to the Shepherd.
AI-written reflection on the passage above. Let Scripture itself be the main thing.
Reflect
When have you felt like the lost sheep, and how did God come looking for you?
Pray
Good Shepherd, thank you that you came looking for me when I wandered. Thank you for carrying me home with joy. Give me your heart for those who are still lost.