Jesus begins by asking: “What man of you, having a 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?” He continues by explaining that when the shepherd finds the lost sheep, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that were never lost. The shepherd calls together his friends and neighbors to share in his joy, saying: “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.”
The lost sheep represents a sinner who has strayed from the path of righteousness and is separated from God. The shepherd symbolizes Jesus, who actively seeks out and cares for those who are spiritually lost and repentant. The ninety-nine sheep left in the wilderness represent the righteous who do not need repentance.
Parable of the Lost Sheep Meaning
The Parable of the Lost Sheep meaning can be found in Matthew 18:10-14 and Luke 15:1-7:
Matthew 18:10-14
“Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.”
Luke 15:1-7
“Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 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.”
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