Jesus asks us for our opinion today. Here is his question:
“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray,
will he not leave the ninety-nine in the hills
and go in search of the stray?”
Matthew 18:12
What say you? When I read this Gospel passage today, I understand so much better the power of the Holy Spirit living in me. I think years ago I would have honestly answered that question with a probably not. I have 99 and I would have seen that as having an abundance and why risk my abundance to find one sheep.
At the time I thought that way, I was that one sheep who was lost. My Lord searched for me, found me and brought me back to His flock. One measly sheep, one hungry person, one homeless person, one lost soul and all the likes are worth searching for. It is our call to love the Lord and our neighbor.
Jesus concludes with the wisdom it has taken me a very long time to understand:
“And if he finds it, amen, I say to you, he rejoices more over it
than over the ninety-nine that did not stray.
In just the same way, it is not the will of your heavenly Father
that one of these little ones be lost.”
Matthew 18:13-14
Those words speak volumes to me that we have a loving and merciful Father who wants us to be with Him for eternity. I am a living example of His love and mercy. Glory be to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Seeking To Reflect Jesus 
So timely for me–if you’d please pray for my special intention related to these verses, I would appreciate it.
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I will. God bless you!
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I too have strayed and been brought back by my faith at the will of the Father. I believe we all sin and the Lord rejoices over us when we repent, just as He does when we first join Him in body and truth. Thanks for sharing this important and loving message, Mike!
Steve
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I agree Steve! Repentance is the key!
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That is key…no repentance means no true sorrow or real shame for committing the sins. That doesn’t come from the heart, which is what God looks at…
Thanks for the comments Mike!
Steve
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The visual you added to your post was the lock screen on my iPod for a few years. I absolutely love this picture because it really shows the human side of Jesus. I see it as we are the sheep on His shoulders. He’s always ready to carry us on His shoulders, carrying us to the point of dying for us.
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Thank you for your wonderful perspective!
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Amen!
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