1 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming to hear him. 2 But the Pharisees and the experts in the law were complaining, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

3 So Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Which one of you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, would not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go look for the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 Then when he has found it, he places it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 Returning home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, telling them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to repent.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Paul Bogg

A few years ago, when moving house, I found an old photo of church that I think was a good 7 or 8 years old. My wife and I looked through the people in the photo together, remembering fondly about brothers and sisters, marvelling at how kids have grown, and praising God that some believers had now finished the good race.  But there were a few in that photo that I realised either no longer believed, or at least, no longer attended any church.

Today’s passage reminds me of those ‘sheep’ that have a place and home with Jesus, but for whatever reason have wandered off. Jesus tells us three things about these lost sheep.  Firstly, he tells us that the shepherd himself will go and find them.  Secondly, he tells us that the shepherd himself will carry them home.  Thirdly, he tells us that once the lost sheep has returned, there will be great rejoicing.

I mourn for my lost brothers and sisters.  I pray that the Good Shepherd himself, Jesus, will find them and carry them home. It’s a job that over the years I’ve realised can only be accomplished by Jesus himself, no matter how many ways I’ve tried to encourage a brother or sister to come back or remind him or her of the promises the Bible makes. I long for that day when a brother whom I once thought was lost, but now is found, has repented and returns – what rejoicing there will be!  Join me in praying for the lost sheep today.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paul is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.