The Parable of the Lost Sheep

Mike Johnson

In Luke 15, there are three parables which teach the same general lesson.  They are “The Parable of the Lost Sheep,” “The Parable of the Lost Coin,” and “The Parable of the Prodical Son.”  In this article, we will discuss “The Parable of the Lost Sheep” which is found in verses 4-7.

“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.”

Jesus, as usual, deals with things that people were familiar with in order to relate important spiritual truths.  The people in His audience would have known about sheep.  Perhaps some had even done the very thing that Jesus was talking about. Sheep have a tendency to go astray as they do not have the ability to return home as some animals do.  This would demand that a shepherd go out and find lost sheep as the person in the parable did.

Verses one and two tell of the circumstances surrounding this parable.  We learn that the audience consisted of publicans and sinners.  The publicans were the tax collectors for the Romans.  They were regarded as outcasts and were placed in the same category as the “sinners” by the Jews.  The publicans and sinners did, however, come to hear Christ.  Others in His audience were the Pharisees and the scribes.  The Pharisees were one of the two major sects during this time and were well known for seeking to keep the letter of the law and for keeping their traditions.  The scribes were men of learning who copied and expounded the law.  Verse two points out that the Pharisees and scribes, “Murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.”  It was after this that Jesus presented the parable.

The Contrast

The parable is very simple.  A man had a hundred sheep, and one of them went astray.  The man left the 99 to find the one.  There was much rejoicing when the sheep was found.  Christ drew a conclusion in verse seven.  He said, “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”  Jesus did not mean that the scribes and the Pharisees did not need to repent.  This is, however, how they would probably regard themselves.  They should have been happy that these publicans and sinners had come to hear Jesus.  Instead, they only sought to criticize Him.  Their attitude was quite a contrast to the joy in heaven which exists when one sinner repents.

Concern

This parable certainly shows concern for the lost.  This is expressed in other passages as well.  Consider II Peter 3:9 which shows us that God does not want any to be lost.  It says, “The Lord is not lack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”  God was willing to send His Son to die for mankind.  This is evidence of His concern for us.  Similarly, Christians should have a concern for the lost.  Consider Paul’s attitude in Romans 10:1.  Here he states, “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.”  Evidence of his concern was seen in that he tried to convert those whom he came in contact with.  Similar actions today would be evidence of our concern.

Joy

Verse seven points out that there is great joy in heaven when one sinner repents.  Not only is there joy in heaven, but there also should be joy on earth.  This is true because repentance and salvation are so valuable.  Consider Paul’s statement to the repenting Corinthians.  He said, “Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance” (II Cor. 7:9).  In Acts 8, we read of the conversion of the eunuch.  After he was baptized, verse 37 says, ” . . . he went on his way rejoicing.”  Just as the finding of the sheep brought joy, the return of a lost soul should bring joy as well: joy is found in heaven and it should be found on earth