This morning, we continue our series on “The Parables of Jesus.” We will seek to glean “Pearls from the Parables.”
Before we get to the parable, let’s look at a scripture we have been looking at all year. This is something I believe the Lord wants us to meditate on.
(Psalm 126:4 TPT)
Now, Lord, do it again! Restore us to our former glory! May streams of your refreshing flow over us until our dry hearts are drenched again.
This is a season of refreshing and restoring for us.
Today we will look at the Parable of the Lost Sheep. This is found in two places in the Bible.
Matthew’s account: (Matthew 18:12-14 ERV)
“If a man has 100 sheep, but one of the sheep is lost, what will he do? He will leave the other 99 sheep on the hill and go look for the lost sheep. Right? And if he finds the lost sheep, he is happier about that one sheep than about the 99 sheep that were never lost. I can assure you, in the same way your Father in heaven does not want any of these little children to be lost.
Luke’s account: (Luke 15:3-7 ERV)
Then Jesus told them this story: “Suppose one of you has 100 sheep, but one of them gets lost. What will you do? You will leave the other 99 sheep there in the field and go out and look for the lost sheep. You will continue to search for it until you find it. And when you find it, you will be very happy. You will carry it home, go to your friends and neighbors, and say to them, ‘Be happy with me because I found my lost sheep!’ In the same way, I tell you, heaven is a happy place when one sinner decides to change. There is more joy for that one sinner than for 99 good people who don’t need to change.
So, what does this mean to you today? A few things.
Laying the Foundation.
As we study all the parables Jesus taught, we come to a parable today that vividly captures the heart of God – the Parable of the Lost Sheep. This simple yet profound story, found in Matthew 18:12-14 and Luke 15:3-7, opens a window into our Heavenly Father’s relentless love and grace. It’s a narrative that challenges our conventional understanding of value and priority, inviting us to see through the lens of God’s amazing love.
This parable reflects the multifaceted nature of God’s character. It speaks of a shepherd’s unyielding commitment to his flock, going beyond the boundaries of logic and safety to reclaim what was lost. In this story, we see a reflection of ourselves – we are the lost sheep, wandering away, sometimes unknowingly, from the safety of our Shepherd’s care. But more importantly, we see the heart of our Shepherd, God, who values each of us so profoundly that He embarks on a relentless quest to bring us back into His fold.
As we delve into this parable, we are reminded of the themes that have resonated through our previous parables – the boundless grace of God, His tireless commitment to redemption, and His joy when the lost are found. This story is not just about the lost sheep; it’s about the Shepherd’s heart. It’s about a love so deep that it defies human understanding, a relentless pursuit that it breaks through the barriers of rationality.
Now, let us unpack the layers of this parable and glean a few rich lessons from it.
1. Everyone has Value in God’s Eyes.
— Every soul matters to God, just as the shepherd values each sheep.
— God’s love is personal and individualized; He knows us by name, just as a shepherd knows each of his sheep.
— The act of leaving the 99 for the one illustrates the extent of God’s pursuit for each and every one of us.
— This parable challenges our understanding of value, teaching us that in God’s kingdom, one soul is worth a level of effort many consider reckless or irresponsible.
— The shepherd’s action reflects God’s heart – no one is too insignificant or too far gone for His love.
— Our worth is not determined by our productivity or societal status but by our identity as God’s beloved. God sees value in us because He made us. He sees us as His own!
— God sees value in us when we don’t even see it in ourselves.
— God sees the value, and one of the things I teach all the time is for us to see ourselves the way God sees us; and to believe what God believes about us.
— In God’s Kingdom, this individual focus does not diminish the value of the community. It actually enhances a sense of community because each member feels unique and cherished.
— When you know you have value in God’s eyes, and you get a revelation of how we all do, not only does it impact your self-esteem, but it impacts the way you value and respect others.
2. The Nature of God’s Pursuit.
— God’s pursuit is proactive and intentional, as the shepherd actively searches for the lost sheep.
— His pursuit is relentless and does not waver in the face of obstacles or difficulties. God will never give up on us. While there is blood flowing through our veins, God will be pursuing us.
— God’s pursuit of us is a testament to His unconditional love and grace.
— This pursuit is not based on our merit or actions but on His unchanging character of love.
— The shepherd’s journey to find the lost sheep mirrors our own spiritual journey, where God meets us in our lostness. He finds us in our darkness and the lowest of moments.
— God’s pursuit is inclusive, extending to every lost soul, regardless of their past or present. God loves and pursues everyone, everywhere.
3. The Joy of Redemption.
— The joy in finding the lost sheep reflects the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents.
— Redemption is not just a cause for personal celebration but a communal one, involving all of heaven and the community of God’s church in this world.
— This joy transcends human understanding, reflecting the depth of God’s love for us.
— We need to tell our story because our redemption story is a testimony to others, showcasing God’s mercy and love.
— The joy of redemption is an invitation to others, drawing them to experience God’s love and grace.
— This joy is a source of strength and encouragement, reminding us of the value and purpose of our spiritual journey.
— The return of the lost sheep is a reminder of several things: 1) we are never too lost; never too far that God cannot find us and restore us; 2) we are never alone, no matter how far we go astray, God will be there, urging us to come home, and 3) we can never disqualify ourselves from a grace that we never qualified for in the first place; Jesus qualified for us!
— This parable showcases the unearned grace of God, and this same grace should empower us to enter every day knowing that no matter how far we stray from God’s best, we are never out of God’s reach! Thank God for that!
— Not only is this truth of God’s love and grace something we should fully embrace in our hearts, but it is something we should share with others as often as possible. The lost need to know that a loving God is pursuing them and is ready to bring them into the fold. This is the gospel of grace, and it is what we are called to preach daily. Please preach it everywhere, and only use words when necessary :-).
— Your daily living should testify of God’s grace!
Declaration of Faith:
Father, this is a season of refreshing and restoring for me!
I come before You in awe of Your relentless pursuit and unconditional love.
I acknowledge that I am valued in Your eyes, not because of what I have done, but because of who You are.
You know me by name, and Your love for me is personal and individualized. I am grateful that You never give up on me, even when I stray.
Father, I am reminded that I am never too lost, never too far gone, for Your grace to reach me. Your love finds me in my darkest moments, and Your light guides me back to Your fold.
I declare that my life is a testimony of Your grace. I commit to sharing Your love and mercy with others, living out the gospel in my daily actions.
Thank You, Father, for seeing value in me when I couldn’t see it in myself. You now help me to see others as You see them, to value and respect them as Your beloved children.
Living with this mindset, I know GREATER IS COMING FOR ME! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
