We Are the Lost Sheep
Every one of us has been the lost sheep. Discover how Jesus, the Good Shepherd, keeps searching until He finds you and then rejoices. In Luke 15, Jesus paints a simple picture. A shepherd counts his flock and comes up one short. Rather than shrug off the loss, he feels the full weight of that one missing sheep. As a result, he sets out to find it. That shepherd’s burden is really a portrait of God’s heart. Today, let’s discover what it means for you.
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Opening Worship Song: The Ninety and Nine
This beloved hymn, sung here by Burl Ives, tells of a shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine safe in the fold and climbs through the wild hills to rescue the one that strayed. It is a perfect way to prepare our hearts for today’s Scripture.
Scripture Focus
Jesus begins with a question every shepherd in His audience would understand:
“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?”
Luke 15:4 (ESV)
Next, Jesus describes the shepherd’s response when the search is over:
“And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.”
Luke 15:5 (ESV)
And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
Luke 15:6–7 (ESV)
The prophet Isaiah reminds us that the lost sheep is not someone else. It is all of us:
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
Isaiah 53:6 (ESV)
Paul says the same thing plainly:
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
Romans 3:23 (ESV)
Yet Paul also shows us how far the Shepherd’s love will go:
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8 (ESV)
With these truths in mind, let’s look at what the parable of the lost sheep means for everyday life.
Life Application
The Shepherd Feels the Burden of One
A hundred sheep is a sizable flock. Losing one might seem like a small matter. However, the shepherd in Jesus’ story does not see a number. He sees a sheep he knows and loves. Consequently, he leaves the ninety-nine and goes looking.
That is how Jesus feels about you. You are never just one face in a crowd to Him. In John 10, He calls Himself the Good Shepherd, and He knows each of His sheep by name.
How We Become the Lost Sheep
God made us free moral agents. He did not create robots who follow Him without thought. Instead, He gave us the freedom to choose. Sadly, that freedom also means we can drift away from the path of the Shepherd.
Most sheep do not run away on purpose. They simply nibble one patch of grass, then another, until they look up and the flock is gone. Likewise, we rarely plan to wander. Perhaps a busy schedule crowds out prayer. A small compromise slowly becomes a habit. Or a painful disappointment leaves us angry with God. Before long, we find ourselves tangled in the briar patches of life.
Isaiah reminds us that all of us have gone astray. Paul agrees that all have sinned. So today’s title is not about someone else. Each of us is, or has been, the lost sheep.
He Searches Until He Finds
Here is the good news of the gospel. Jesus does not search for a little while and then give up. He looks “until he finds it.”
Perhaps you feel you have wandered too far. Maybe you think too much time has passed. Nevertheless, the Shepherd is still searching. It is never too late to return to the flock.
Romans 5:8 shows how far His love will go. Christ did not wait for us to clean ourselves up. Instead, He died for us while we were still sinners. Today, He continues to seek us through His Holy Spirit, who gently convicts, draws, and calls us home.
Celebration, Not Condemnation
Notice what the shepherd does when he finds his sheep. He does not scold it. He does not drag it back in disgrace. Rather, he lifts it onto his shoulders with joy. Then he calls his friends and neighbors to celebrate.
Jesus says heaven rejoices the same way over one sinner who repents. Think about that for a moment. When you turn back to God, heaven celebrates.
So what does this mean for you today? First, if you have wandered, simply turn around. Tell the Shepherd where you are, because He already knows the way to you. Second, if you are safely in the fold, look for the lost around you. A coworker, a grandchild, or an old friend may be caught in the briars right now.
Finally, rest in this truth. You may have been the lost sheep, but you are not forgotten. The Shepherd who found you will carry you home on His shoulders.
Good morning, as you invite the Holy Spirit to guide you beside the Good Shepherd today.
A Word of Encouragement
“God proved His love on the Cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, ‘I love you.'”
— Billy Graham
Let’s Pray
Good Shepherd, thank You for never giving up on me. I confess that I have wandered more times than I can count. Yet You kept searching, and You found me. Thank You for dying for me while I was still a sinner. Forgive me for the times I have drifted into the briar patches of life. Give me wisdom to stay close to You and strength to follow wherever You lead. Holy Spirit, guide me today beside the Good Shepherd. Help me see the lost sheep around me and love them the way You love me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Closing Worship Song: The 99
Mac Powell’s “The 99” celebrates a Savior who would leave the ninety-nine to come after the one. It is a joyful reminder that you are the one He came to find.
Keep Growing in Christ
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Acknowledgments
We thank:
- Pixabay for free, high-quality artwork.
- AZ Quotes for inspirational quotations.
- YouTube Gospel Music for timeless worship songs.
- We recommend GotQuestions.org for further Bible study.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Have a wonderful day and keep your eyes on Jesus and your spirits high.
Johnny
“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.”
Proverbs 23:7