Psalm 84:11-12

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. LORD Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you. 

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

Often when we listen in on or read through the story of the lost sheep that Jesus shares, we relate it back to ourselves as sheep that the Shepherd loves and is willing to go find. Today when you read the story (or listen in), think not of yourself but of a loved one, be it friend or family. Imagine this loved one ending up lost.

Some of you might not have to imagine at all – it may already be way too real of a story.

Jesus point of the story is that in His kingdom, His kind of shepherd goes after the loved ones. Others may consider our loved ones disposable, but Jesus shows that God values every sheep, those safely in the fold and those who have strayed from it.

Luke 13:10-17

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.