Earlier Jesus stressed on the importance of
taking care of the little ones. People who are less mature should not be stumbled.
He advocated that proper models and examples should be set by the more mature.
Careful and considerate living should be ensured by the more mature disciples so
that the weaker ones will not be stumbled in their relationship with God. The
Lord now turns His attention from the weaker believers to the straying ones.
In verse 12, Jesus asks a question that
presupposes “yes” for an answer. What kind of shepherd would not leave behind
his other sheep to go for one that had strayed from the fold? The point of Jesus
is this: a good shepherd is not willing to lose even one straying sheep. He
would leave the ninety-nine sheep that are safe and secure, in search for that
straying sheep, even if it is only one.
This short
parable tells us how much Jesus value each one of us, His sheep. As a caring Shepherd,
He will ensure that every one of us is safe in the fold. Here we get a glimpse
of the heart of our Lord. He zealously cares for each one of us that belongs to
Him. He would pursue any one of us who has strayed. When the straying one is
restored, it will bring joy and gladden His heart.
Like Him, we,
especially those more mature, must also develop that kind of mentality. We must
adopt a caring attitude and not a ‘couldn’t careless’ one. We must not entertain
the mentality that we already have the ninety-nine, so why should we be concerned
for one that strays. We must value all that the Lord values. As we do, put James
5:19-20 at the forefront of our thoughts. “My
brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back,
let him know that he who turns a sinner
from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a
multitude of sins.”
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