The Parable of the Lost Sheep
Mike Johnson
In Luke 15, three parables teach the same general lesson. They are the parables of the “Lost Sheep,” the “Lost Coin,” and the “Prodigal Son.” In this article, we will discuss the “Parable of the Lost Sheep” is in verses 4-7.
What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.
Jesus, as usual, dealt with matters people were familiar with to relate critical spiritual truths. The people in His audience would have known about sheep. Perhaps some had even done the very thing Jesus was talking about.
Sheep tend to go astray as they cannot return home as some animals do. This trait would demand that a shepherd go out and find the lost sheep as the person in the parable did.
Verses one and two tell of the circumstances surrounding this parable. First, we learn that the audience consisted of publicans and sinners. The publicans were the tax collectors for the Romans. They were regarded as outcasts and were placed by the Jews in the same category as “sinners.” The publicans and sinners did, however, come to hear Christ; others in His audience were the Pharisees and the scribes.
The Pharisees were one of the two major sects during this time and were well known for seeking to keep the letter of the law and their traditions, which they viewed as mandates from God. The scribes were men of learning who copied and expounded the law. Verse two points out that the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” It was after this that Jesus presented the parable.
The Contrast
The story is straightforward. A man had 100 sheep, and one of them went astray. The man left the 99 to find the one. There was much rejoicing when the shepherd located the sheep. Christ concluded in verse seven, saying, “I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.” Jesus did not mean that the scribes and the Pharisees did not need to repent. However, this is how they probably would have viewed themselves. The Pharisees should have been happy that these publicans and sinners had come to hear Jesus. Instead, they used the event to criticize Him. Their attitude was quite a contrast to the joy in heaven, which exists when one sinner repents.
Concern
This parable shows concern for the lost. This concept is expressed in other passages as well. Consider 2 Peter 3:9, which indicates that God does not want any to be lost. It says, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” Further, God was willing to send His Son to die for mankind, which is evidence of His concern for us. Christians today should have concern for the lost. Consider Paul’s attitude in Romans 10:1. He states, “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.” Paul showed his concern by trying to convert those with whom he came in contact. Similar actions today would be evidence of our concern.
Joy
Verse seven points out that there is great joy in heaven when one sinner repents. Not only is there joy in heaven, but happiness should exist on earth. Consider Paul’s statement to the repenting Corinthians. He said, “Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing” (2 Cor. 7:9). In Acts 8, we read of the conversion of the eunuch. After his baptism, verse 39 says, “. . . he went on his way rejoicing.” Just as the finding of the sheep brought joy, a lost soul’s return should also bring joy. Joy exists in heaven because God wants the salvation of all, and redemption itself is so valuable. As in heaven, we should surely all rejoice when one sinner returns. What is your attitude toward the lost?