There are two records of the parable of the Good Shepherd. Both
are very similar. The message is the same.

Luke 15:4-7. “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the other ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he puts it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice
with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost!’ I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.

Matthew 18:12-14. “What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains, and go and search for the one that is lost? And if it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that have not gone astray. So it is not the will of your Father who is
in heaven for one of these little ones to perish.

The Hebrews were very familiar with what a shepherd’s work was and what sheep were capable of. A good shepherd watched carefully over all his sheep, defending them from harm from predators as well as poisonous weeds in meadows and from snakes. There would be larger animals that would kill the sheep if the shepherd did not keep a keen eye on the flock.

Jesus does not have to explain to the people he is talking to about how a shepherd goes after a lost sheep. The sheep is worth a lot of money to the shepherd. The wool and meat provide the shepherd’s income. So the shepherd knows the worth of his sheep and wants them to be healthy and content. Jesus knows our worth because he gave his life for us. Yet, it is not uncommon for a sheep to stray away.

A wayward sheep—what causes that? The sheep can get distracted by a clump of juicy grass somewhere away from the flock. The sheep can get frisky and want to frolic in the sun and graze on his/her own. Sometimes a sheep can fall over and not be able to get up. Sometimes a sheep can get stuck in the mud around watering places and drown. The sheep has no idea what danger lurks.

Being led away by worldly elements and falling into serious trouble is common for us also. We may want to explore and see what adventures we can have outside of the Word of God. The son of the Forgiving Father (Luke 15:11-32) wanted his inheritance to live in an ungodly manner and was definitely lost. At least he had enough sense to go back to his father; yet, sheep have no ability to find the shepherd. They are definitely not like bloodhounds that can find a rabbit in a thick forest.

Thankfully, the shepherd goes to find the sheep. That means the flock is in the pasture or sheep fold. We may surmise that the shepherd is not caring for the other sheep by leaving them defenseless. Those listening to the parables knew that a good shepherd would never do that. There was generally more than one shepherd with the sheep fold. The sheep would all be well cared for.

Matthew 18:13 “And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray.” which gives the connotation that the sheep may have strayed so far it could not be found. Wolves may have gotten it, or it could have drowned. The shepherd searches for the sheep, but the sheep may not be able to or want to be found.

Possibly an example of this is when Jesus allowed himself to be arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, the disciples scattered. Peter denied him. Judas betrayed him with a kiss. Peter was lost but allowed himself to be found and forgiven. Judas could not accept Jesus’ love and committed suicide. Peter allowed himself to be found, and Judas did not.

The Good Shepherd was able to find and take care of the lost sheep and the flock. He was not lazy and said to ‘forget it’ that the sheep would just have to be lost. He diligently looked for the sheep that had gone astray.

John 6:37. Everything that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I certainly will not cast out.

Those who believe on Jesus are the body of Christ. He is the good shepherd, the head of the church. When we choose to go astray by the world or our own lust, he finds us and has compassion for us. It is our free will to come back to Jesus when we stray. He will not force us to come to him. He is there, watching over us, waiting for us to cry out for help. He will hear our bleating and come running to get us out of the thicket. He carries us back to rejoin the flock because he loves us as his Father does. The Good Shepherd rejoices that we do not perish.

Are you able to allow Jesus to rescue you from harm and sin? What changes will it take for you to remain in the flock?