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The Good Shepherd
One Lost Sheep
QUESTION: Why did the good shepherd, in Jesus' parable, look for one lost sheep and leave ALONE ninety-nine others that were in his flock?
ANSWER: You have asked some interesting questions about the 'lost sheep' parable (also referred to as the 'Good Shepherd') in Matthew 18.
First, however, we need to define what a parable is. A parable is not intended to portray a real life situation but is a simple story told to make a point. Although also found in Luke 15, let us take a brief look at what Christ said in Matthew's version.
“12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and search for the one that went astray?
13 And if he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray.
14 Likewise, it is not the will of your Father Who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish” (Matthew 18:12 - 14, HBFV)
Jesus opens his parable by asking what should a good shepherd do if one of the animals in his flock is lost (Matthew 18:12).
He answers his own question by stating the keeper of the flock would leave the 99 sheep that he has and pursue the one that strayed.
When the sheep is found the shepherd is said to be happier at finding it than the fact that the rest of the flock was not lost (verse 13).
The main characters of this story are used only as an analogy that tie human emotions and logic to the emotions and logic of God to help us better understand how He thinks.
The parable does not present a real life situation. .
In the real world, one would want to know the details of how ninety-nine animals were to be protected while the shepherd was gone.
Adding such detail to the story, however, would serve no tangible purpose.
Even in today's world, the herdsman would call a friend or family member to watch over the flock if he expected to be gone for an extended period.
Or perhaps the shepherd knows the area where the sheep are grazing to be safe for the few hours he would be gone.
If the herd would be in danger, he probably would not leave all of them to search for just one.
These mundane details, however, do nothing to teach the lesson intended and as such are not included in the parable.
I do not know if you have read Aesop's Fables, such as the story of the race between the tortoise and the hare (rabbit), but that is a non-Biblical example of a parable.
On the surface, this story in not a reflection of what happens in the real world, as hares (rabbits) and tortoises not only do not speak to each other, they do not compete against each other in races.
The purpose of the story, however, is to teach the lesson that steadfast progress and hard work sometimes are better than raw speed in achieving a goal.
The purpose of the Good Shepherd or Lost Sheep parable is stated in verse 14 of Matthew 18.
God, because His existence is the essence of perfect love, desires all those whom he has called to enter into his kingdom.
The 'little ones' He is primarily referring to are those people who are new believers in Christ.
God will grant us the ultimate gift, eternal life in His Kingdom through His grace if we repent of our sins and obey His commands .
To experience God as a personal, caring, loving Father, you have to receive Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. You will become a child of God and begin the fulfillment of the reason you were created by God.
Say the following prayer:
“Father God, I confess I am a sinner and my sins have separated me from You.
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