Throughout Jesus’ personal ministry, He used parables to teach His disciples spiritual truths concerning the kingdom of heaven. (Note: A parable is a comparison; an illustration; sometimes a true history; an illustrative sketch from nature.) It is recorded in Matthew 13:10-13 that Jesus’ disciples inquired as to the reason for the parables.
This passage states,
“And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.”
In Luke 15:3-7 we read that Jesus spoke to all those in attendance [that is, the publicans, “sinners”, Pharisees, scribes (as stated in Luke 15:1-2)] by conveying the “parable of the lost sheep“.
For Luke 15:3-7 states,
“And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”
In this parable, Jesus used the illustration of one sheep that was lost from the fold for which the shepherd “sought after“. In this passage Jesus conveyed the very essence of His personal care for each individual that has lived, is living, and will live.
As Luke 19:10 states,
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
– verse 7 of this parable declares that “joy (much rejoicing) shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth more than ninety and nine just persons, which have repented.” In other words, there is rejoicing in heaven when one repents of their sins through “repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ” [cf. Acts 20:21], and have been eternally secured in the Shepherd’s “fold care” with the other “believing sheep”.
Each one of us must realize that without “repenting of our sin and asking Jesus Christ to save us”, we are as that sheep that is “lost in the wilderness“. Romans 3:23 states,
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
Every “publican”, “sinner”, “Pharisee”, and “scribe” that heard this parable had to personally answer the following question, “Were they part of the [ninety-nine sheep who were already in the fold] or were they [the lost sheep that the shepherd sought after]?” In other words, “Had they allowed the Shepherd to [save] them?”
John 1:12,
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.”
Equally true, each one of us must personally answer the same question, “Has heaven rejoiced because – though you were lost – the Shepherd found you, you repented of our sin of unbelief, and you now eternally rest in the Shepherd’s care?” Or, are you still “lost in the wilderness” due to your unbelief? If so, why not allow Jesus Christ to rescue you today? For in doing so, you will have passed from “death” unto “life” (that is, from being “lost in the wilderness” – to being “found by the Shepherd” – and now there is rejoicing because that lost sheep has been found).
John 5:24 states,
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
Trust in Jesus Christ – for He alone can save you.
