Parable Series: Part 3 - The Lost Sheep

“What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. - Matthew 18:12-14

So He spoke this parable to them, saying:
“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. - Luke 15:3-7

Study Questions:

1. Who are the lost sheep?
2. Why did he seek for the lost sheep?
3. How did the sheep get back?
4. Did Jesus simply lead them back?
5. How much effort did the sheep have to make to return to the flock?

Following along with the Study Questions.

(1) I would say that the sheep are those chosen by God, but not limited to Jews. 'For many were invited/called, but few were chosen' - Matt22:14. One could argue that this verse is like John 10:16, which both indicate the Messiah coming to unite Judah's tribes, the Jewish nations. But it is more clever to read more of the Bible to see what it really means to be of 'his' kind. Read Romans 2 and John 10:26. The believers, the true sons of God are those who do the will of the Father.

For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. - Matt 12:50

So therefore the we must open our mind to see that the sheep is not merely the Jewish nation, but all those chosen by God who would accept the Word in their hearts.

(2) The sheepherder went to look for this lost sheep because it is of great value to him. The sheep is also alone, defenseless against prey, like wolves. The sheepherder, much like Jesus, our priestly king has been given unto us to fight for us against all that comes upon us. One of the messages here pertains to our eternal security once we have truly given ourselves to God.

Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. -

John 10:25-29

Jesus therefore is sworn to protect and preserve our very fate. He seeks after us and is relentless in calling out to us. Are we listening? Do we recognize his voice when he speaks to us in dreams, visions, prophecy, etc? Is your life too busy for God, focused more on your social life, gambling, tv, games, going out, etc? I tell you the truth, the Christian walk is not for many or the strong, but the meek and weak, for those who realize they are will be given much strength in Christ to do battle. When you put away your idols and put on your armor and know the Word which is your sword, you will live as you truly should, for Christ.

Footnote: Note that Christ left the 99 sheep, why would he leave them unattended? I think we can see that in the midst of other believers, we too can be strengthened and our hope magnified in his return. Therefore, when you feel you have been abandoned by God, do not stray yourself from believers. Dwell with them, for you will surely be cheerfully waiting for His steadfast return. If you do stray and you are not completely dried up or hardened, you will see that God is pursuing you.

(3-5) In some Bible versions, the shepherd appears coming back home with the sheep over his shoulders. This is showing that if you let Jesus, He will carry you home. Our God does more than just draw us closer by His Word, but He in fact carries us along to understand and to come back home. The sheep appears to have done nothing, but let the shepherd carry him home. Just like I said on the previous message, a comment, you only have to LET GOD, BE GOD. Let Him be the one you depend on and call on, then you will see mighty things around you and in you grow.

Final Comments: See how the verses differ only slightly at the end. The Father wishes none should perish in the first and that it is much more joyous when one sinner repents than 99 who don't. God cares about everyone, including YOU!! He doesn't want you to be filled with yourself and think you don't need to repent. He wants you to see Him and how He loves you, but He cannot force this on you, because it wouldn't be true. Few of us will run towards real love when we see it. Jesus did not come for the righteous, he came for sinners who needed him. We must realize our sin, realize his bountiful work and love for us. We need to see how much we need him, much more then we say we need the things of this world. Just like on the Sermon on the Mound, 'Blessed are those poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.' Matt 5:3. Strip yourselves of all things of this world, be poor in spirit so that their is a place for the Spirit to move in you and transform you. God's economy is not of this world, but in heaven. It is not of flesh, but of the spirit.

Parable Series: Part 2 - The Householder

^{Matt 13:52}

-He said to them, "Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old."

-Todo *maestro de la ley que ha sido instruido acerca del reino de los cielos es como el dueño de una casa, que de lo que tiene guardado saca tesoros nuevos y viejos.

When I read this I see that teacher is really saying scribes. In the Jewish society scribes were diligent readers of the Old Testament, which is equally the inspired Word of God as the New Testament. After a time they lost the ability of reading the allegorical meaning of the Word and focused on the literal meanings. This caused hundreds of rules in the application of daily living and ceremonies, as opposed to seeing what God is doing spiritually. Again, life and being a Christian is not about what you do, its about what God is doing IN you. Not your net worth or physical health, but your spiritual health and God's economy (spiritual edification) through a true relationship with Christ. The Spirit of God yearns to be called and used, but these scribes failed to use the Spirit to discern the things of God.

John 3:8-12 - "How can this be?" Nicodemus asked. "You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things?I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?

Here we see proof that when Jesus broke the things of God in broken up, edible (earthly) pieces, that they could still not understand. We must be diligent in prayer and reading to really receive the meanings of the Word of God. Teaching is a ministry from God, who is gladly waiting to give you this responsibility, but we must first be seek Him and use the Spirit to sanctify our thoughts and heart.

1. Phil 3:20 - Eagerly await the Saviour; pray to Jesus and read His Word.
2. Gal 5:5 - Use the Spirit to build your hope and faith for the one await for, He will surely bless you in your diligence with wisdom and hope.
3. 1 Cor14:12 - Over the spiritual gifts from the Spirit for self, seek the ones that build you and the church. (Please read the chapter to understand the full context)

In your diligence you will be like the best librarian ever, but about heavenly things and register truth from the Bible. You'll be able to dissect the Word like a surgeon, through the Spirit. The Bible is a 'storeroom' of knowledge we are free to learn and use in our life. See past the literal and really let the Spirit of God speak and apply the Word to your heart. Remember the Old treasures are equally as applicable as the New, but keep reading to get the full perspective of what God was doing through the ages.

2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.