The Lost Sheep

 

I think that sermons on this passage have been preached many times from pulpits all over the world and in various ways. But initially this parable does not mean much to us because we’re not farmers or shepherds and we listen, but do not have any buy-in to the story. And because most of us have never been shepherds, nor do we spend too much time around sheep, without putting it into a practical application for us in the year 2021, it is easy to skip over and be happy for the shepherd and happy for the sheep without writing the message on our heart.

There is rejoicing and relief when something that is important to you went missing and is then found. Maybe you have lost your wallet, keys, cell phone or debit card in the past and can recall that frantic feeling of trying to find the missing item. This parable uses sheep symbolically to represent people and souls and the eternal status of those around you. The verse says there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than 99 righteous people who do not need repentance. Jesus says that He is the good shepherd and He lays down his life for the sheep. We know that about Him and we love Him because He first loved us. We are all part of the same flock of sheep. Some of us have repented and some yet to repent. However, we all share the same common ground as sheep, we are either still in need of being found by the Good shepherd or we have been found by Him.

We are part of the same flock but we must ask the question why is there a separation between lost sheep and the 99 righteous sheep. We are going to look at the passage and figure out who we are currently in the parable and what our response is. We’re going to explore the lost sheep, the Good Shepherd and other 99.

Back a couple months ago I went to a country store with my sisters and my children. There is only one entrance in and one entrance out but there are many rooms and twists and turns throughout the store. I figured I would let my kids explore as I guarded the one room with the entrance/exit door. I knew that as long as my kids didn’t leave through that door they were safe inside. Well my daughter didn’t know this plan. She is five years old and after exploring for a little while she suddenly realized she had no visual of me and started to cry softly. A kind woman found her crying and brought her to me. She clung to my leg for a little while and I told her I knew where she was and she was safe because I was watching the door. She could call my name and I would hear her if she needed me. She let go of my leg, wiped her tears and went back to exploring. She was happy and knew I was keeping her safe.

In the parable Jesus told about the lost sheep. The sheep actually represent multiple groups of people. First, the lost sheep could be where we find ourselves in life currently. Like my daughter who went off on her own to explore the store, that may be us. Perhaps we have wandered off from church and from God, we have decided we can do life on our own. We have unplugged from a local church. Maybe we have even rejected the faith we once had as a child and turned to our own path of life. Maybe this path has had lots of twists and turns and we have found ourselves in a room or place in life we don’t recognize and we don’t know how to get back on track. To be honest this happens a lot in our twenties, but it can happen at any point of life. Many people who grew up in church enter their twenties and start feeling like they know better than what their parents did. They feel like it is time to determine if they want the same faith their parents had. They wander off and explore other beliefs, other religions or maybe no religion at all. This happened to me for a time in my twenties. I never verbally rejected God, but in my actions and lifestyle I certainly was rejecting Him as Lord of my life. I wandered off on my own path. I was lost in the store and I did not feel like I could turn back to God and I certainly did not think He was seeking me after all the mistakes I had made.

The Lost sheep could also be someone who has never grown up in a church or considered the need for a savior. Perhaps they have not considered who God is and what He means to them. This person could be a friend, family member, co- worker, parent, child, sister, brother or social media friends. I want you to think of my daughter in the store in a room, not crying and not visibly upset as the patrons walked by her. She was looking at the toys and smiling and she looked fine as people walked by. People who are lost do not always seem upset or distraught. There was quite awhile in the store as she wandered around and was fine on her own. People in our lives and communities feel this way. We have been raised and trained since a young age to think we can handle and achieve this life on our own. But we were never meant to.  Even if you feel confident, full of life and vigor, you are still a lost sheep, if you are apart from the loving arms of Jesus Christ.

The Lost Sheep was a title that each of us have or had at one point of life. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on JESUS the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6

We were all wandering children and lost in a store at some point in our lives. We were in need of being reunited to our parent, our Savior. In need of being rescued. If you are a Christian today you were rescued just like my daughter who was brought back to me as she was crying and lost, you were brought to God in this same way.

It’s easy to take a position of pride in this. Perhaps you find that because you don’t fall into the previous two categories of twenty year old testing and visible lostness that you can get comfortable in your church and among the other 99 sheep, eating grass and napping in the field. However friend, that is an inaccurate picture to have.

What do you mean? I’m saved, I’m redeemed, I’m not wandering. I’m the good sheep that the shepherd doesn’t have to worry about, Right?

We like to think the 99 sheep are saved individuals who go to church read their Bibles and pray every day. We look over at the shepherd who is saving the lost sheep and think to ourselves I’m so thankful I’m not lost anymore. And then we look away and continue grazing in the field. But I’m here to tell you, while you could be part of the 99 sheep, I’m going to caution you and say that’s definitely not where you want to place yourself in this parable.

When Jesus was teaching he was speaking to a group of people which included the Pharisees and Saducees and while of course this parable applies to us today, we have to look at who they were. The Pharisees and Sadducees were religious individuals in the time of Jesus who were always questioning him and did not believe in who he was. They thought because of their lineage and their good deeds and their good works and the observance of the law that they were righteous because of these things. They thought that everything they did outwardly, earned their way to heaven. So when Jesus said that all of heaven rejoices over the one lost sheep as opposed to 99 righteous, you could say as opposed to the 99 who think they are righteous or in other words those who are self-righteous.  That statement is referring to those who believe they can earn their way to heaven on their own. It is referring to sheep who think that because of the good works and deeds they do on this earth will get them an automatic ticket to heaven. It is speaking to those who follow the law but in doing so are not relying on Christ for salvation but on their good deeds.

So while there are a lot of Christians who look at this parable and they think they’re just part of those 99 sheep in the field singing and praising and obeying, that is not the case. They are 99 sheep who may look righteous on the outside but inside they may be far from it. I hope we are not one of the 99 sheep in the field. Because the Bible says there is none righteous not even one but it is only by the blood of the Lamb can we be saved.

So then who are we in this story? We aren’t the lost sheep anymore and we don’t want to be self-righteous sheep because we know apart from God we cannot earn our salvation. So who are we in this parable?

Do you remember the kind woman in the store who brought my daughter to me? The woman who found her crying when she  was lost in the room alone. She said outloud is anyone missing a child and she brought my daughter into the main room, and led her to me. My daughter ran to me and clung to me when she found me.

You are this woman and if you are a guy pretend that it was a kind man who brought my daughter to me. And you are in this parable in a way you may not have noticed before. I didn’t notice it at first either.

Who was it that told you about Jesus? Who was it that shared the gospel with you? Who was it that planted the seed of salvation in your heart? Who was it that brought you to church that first time? Do you remember how you felt when your Savior held you in His arms and said My lost Sheep is found! You may not have heard it but heaven rejoiced because you were saved! Praise Him!

However after we are saved, and I am guilty of this too, we tend to get comfortable as a rescued sheep grazing in the pasture and singing hymns on Sundays. But I want to encourage you today. As a saved, rescued sheep it is no longer you who live but Christ who lives in you. Galatians 2:20

You no longer identify with the lost sheep anymore because you have been found
You should also no longer identify with the 99 sheep that are unable to humble themselves from their self righteous position. In reality the 99 are just as lost as the one who wandered off. Instead, as a child of God you Identify with the Risen Savior. With the Good Shepherd. You now identify with the one who saved the world rather than the one who needs to be saved.

We are redeemed sheep and the Bible tells us to always be prepared to give an answer for the hope that lies within you. Invite that friend or co-worker to church with you. Just as you were once invited. Encourage that 20 something you know and tell them that you went through similar rough patches of life and God pulled you out of the muck and mire. Be honest about your sin. Paul said I will boast of my weaknesses because God says my grace is sufficient for you and my power is made perfect in weakness. Pray for those around you who are lost and make sure that they feel welcome at church and welcome around you, even if you know their lifestyle is sinful. We are all sinners.  We were all Lost Sheep needing a Shepherd. You should not blend in with all the other sheep grazing in this world. You are now set apart to will and to act according to His good purpose.

As saved, redeemed children of God, we are set apart sheep who now have their identity in Jesus and in the Good Shepherd. We have the power of Christ living in us and we are called to spread the good news of salvation to everyone we know. We are called to be the woman or man in the store leading others to Christ’s arms. You do not need to travel far away to be a missionary. The mission field is here and it is now. This world is full of lost sheep, many people have wandered off on their own. Seek them as you were once sought after so they too can say ‘I once was lost but now am found”. Lead them to the streams of living water, the living water of Christ. You are no longer a lost sheep! You are a new creation. Jesus said the harvest is plenty but the workers are few. Go to work today, there is a harvest all around you.

Some practical ideas to start….Share a Bible verse with a friend who is hurting, invite someone over for a cup of coffee, offer to pray for someone in need, reach out to your neighbors, invite someone to church or to watch online church with you. You do not know who needs to be rescued, you do not know what child or future child of God may look ok on the outside but is about to break down on their own and need someone to point them to the Truth of the gospel. You do not know who is longing to hear about the living hope in this very dismal season of life. You do not know the person in which heaven wants to rejoice over next. And because you do not know you need to treat everyone as though they need Him. Because friend, we all so desperately do.

And if you are in need of rescuing today please consider this, The Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ lay down His life for you. He died on a cross, paid the penalty of our sin and rose again so we may have life in Him. He died so you can live. He is Good shepherd who saves the lost. So if you are lost today, on your own crying in a store, ask Him to save you from your sin and rescue you today.

The Lord Bless you and Keep You,

Kara

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 13:20?-?21