PARABLE 20 - The Lost Sheep

PARABLE 20 ~ MATTHEW 18:12-14 ~ LOST SHEEP 

12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? 13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

 “What do you think? If a man has one hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine, go to the mountains, and seek that which has gone astray?  And if he finds it, most certainly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” (Paraphrased by me)

Discussion Questions – Parable 20

PARABLE 20 ~ MATTHEW 18:12-14 ~ LOST SHEEP 

1. To what lengths would you go to recover a missing wallet? Your mother’s lost diamond ring? An important irreplaceable document? Your missing child? 

Jesus starts the story with, “What do you think?” in other words “What would you do?” The Lord was making a point. What would you do if you had a hundred sheep and one went astray? Would you not go to great lengths to find it? And when you did would you rejoice?

Picture a parent that had six children and one went missing. They would leave the other five and search frantically for the missing one. And when he was found there would be great rejoicing! Same as Jesus when he finds one of his flock who has went astray. How wonderful that we have a God who loves us that much!

2. Some think the flock represents Christian believers and the lost sheep refers to a weak believer who has slid backward and strayed from his belief in Jesus. What do you think? 

Through this story of compassion, Jesus revealed his rescue mission for sinners. The parable begins with a straying sheep. It is evident that in order for the sheep to have strayed he was a part of the flock to begin with. A sheep apart from its shepherd is defenseless and in grave danger. Jesus views any person apart from Him as lost. How is he lost? His sins alienate him from the holy God, leaving him groping aimlessly in darkness. The shepherd in this story, however, didn’t despise his straying sheep. With a heart of compassion, Jesus also values each of His sheep. 

“And this is the will of Him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that He has given me, but raise them up at the last day” (John 6:39). Jesus is intent upon rescuing the sinner not only because the Father gave them to Him but also because He loves them. His love led Him to sacrifice His life on the cross to take their punishment for sin. 

3. Does it change your image of God to see him as a caring shepherd searching frantically for one lost individual? How?

The parable of the lost sheep also illustrates Christ’s attitude toward the saved sinner. The parable gives no indication of the shepherd ever rebuking or chiding. Instead, he hoists the sheep upon his shoulders and takes it home. An adult sheep may weigh anywhere from 110 to 125 pounds; it would be no small effort to carry one over the shoulder. For joy over finding that which was lost, the shepherd bears the discomfort. Likewise, Jesus bore the weight of our sins upon the cross. As High Priest and Mediator, He continues to bear our cares and infirmities before the Father. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness. . . . For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (1 Peter 2:24-25).

Finally, the parable of the lost sheep offers an extraordinary glimpse of heavenly emotions. The shepherd calls his friends and neighbors together, saying, “Rejoice with me.” The rescue of the lost sheep was a cause for a celebration. Similarly, Heaven rejoices when a sinner repents and is restored to fellowship with God. This is considered a great joy! Why? A sinner has come home! Such news delights the heart of heaven (Luke 15:7,10). 

In this parable Jesus paints with words a beautiful picture of God’s grace in His desire to see the lost return to Him. Men seek honor and avoid shame; God seeks to glorify Himself through us His sheep, His sons and daughters. Despite having ninety-nine other sheep, despite the sinful rebellion of His lost sheep, God joyfully receives it back, just as He does when we repent and return to Him.