The Joy of Found Sheep

A shepherd with a hundred sheep, who, realising one is missing, leaves the ninety-nine in the wilderness and relentlessly searches for the lost one. “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4).

This paints a vivid picture of God’s heart—a Shepherd so loving that every sheep is invaluable to Him. The Psalmist reminds us, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1). Here, the shepherd is portrayed not just as a keeper of numbers but a carer of souls, highlighting the immeasurable value God places on each individual.

When the shepherd finds the lost sheep, he does not punish it but instead lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. This act reflects Christ’s redeeming grace, carrying our burdens and enveloping us with His love. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

This joy is not solitary; it is shared with friends and neighbours. “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!” (Luke 15:6). It is not a silent celebration but a public declaration, symbolic of the heavenly joy over one repentant sinner. Our heavenly Father desires that none should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

When we sin, we stray away, becoming lost sheep. But our Shepherd, Jesus, does not give up on us. His pursuit is relentless, His love is unending. In Romans 5:8, we find assurance: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

This parable also illustrates the boundless mercy of God in contrast to the Pharisees' grumbling about Lord Jesus receiving sinners. Their self-righteousness blinded them to their need for repentance, a reminder to us to be wary of our self-righteous attitudes and to embrace humility, recognising our perpetual need for God’s grace.

Today, let us remember the loving Shepherd who values each sheep, pursuing the lost until they are found. May our hearts resonate with gratitude for the grace we have received and be filled with a fervent desire to share the redeeming love of Christ with the lost sheep of this world, leading them back to the Shepherd’s embrace.

I would not be writing this, and you would not be reading this, if someone had not shared the love of Christ with me some years ago. Go ahead and share what the Lord has done for you with someone every day. You never know the harvest they will bring.

The Joy of Found Sheep

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