Lost Sheep | Matthew 18:10-14

Mar 20
3 min read

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

10 “Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven. 12 What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14 So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.

To say there’s a lot going on right now would be an understatement.

There are so many issues to care about, so many wounds in this world that need healing. Oftentimes, my attention is stretched thin and I feel unable to do anything. So, let’s boil it down.

If the world were 100 people:

78 people would have an adequate place to shelter them from the wind and the rain, but 22 would not.

60 people would have enough to eat, 29 would be moderately or severely food insecure, and 11 people would be undernourished.

1 person would be an international refugee or an internally displaced person who had to abandon their home because of war or natural calamity.

The parable of the lost sheep demonstrates that everyone matters to God. The shepherd left the 99 sheep on the hills to find the one that was lost in the wilderness.

The Pharisees criticized Jesus for how he treated sinners, lepers, and other social outcasts. Instead of avoiding these people, Jesus invited them in. He dined with them. He died for them. Plainly, Jesus was a threat to the religious and social establishment.

We don’t need to do anything to earn God’s love. God will always search for us when we’ve gone astray, because all of us are valuable, exactly as we are. And just as this is true for all of us, it is also true for all of our neighbors.

We are the body of Christ. As believers, it is our role to live out God’s purpose for us: to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly.

For me, this reading is a call to compassion. A call to show up. A call to use our power and privilege where we have it to stand up for what is right. When people are isolated, may we remember to seek them out, just as the shepherd did for the sole sheep in the flock of one hundred.

Action: Think of ways that you can show up for others. Volunteer at a food pantry. Write a letter to someone who’s incarcerated. Donate to a cause that you care about. Give someone you love a hug. Pick one way and do it.

Let us pray:

Loving God,

Watch over us as we wander;

Keep us safe in the wilderness;

Guide us back to your arms.

Let us remember that we matter, always.

Empower us to look after our siblings;

Help us build communities based on inclusion, not exclusion;

Give us the strength to stand up for justice in the face of adversity.

In your name we pray,

Amen.

Alana Kent (she/her/hers)