Luke 15:4-7 (TPT) The Parable of the Lost Lamb
4–5 “There once was a shepherd with a hundred lambs, but one of his lambs wandered away and was lost. So the shepherd left the ninety-nine lambs out in the open field and searched in the wilderness for that one lost lamb. He didn’t stop until he finally found it. With exuberant joy he raised it up and placed it on his shoulders, carrying it back with cheerful delight! 6 Returning home, he called all his friends and neighbors together and said, ‘Let’s have a party! Come and celebrate with me the return of my lost lamb. It wandered away, but I found it and brought it home.’”
7 Jesus continued, “In the same way, there will be a glorious celebration in heaven over the rescue of one lost sinner who repents, comes back home, and returns to the fold—more so than for all the righteous people who never strayed away.”
I love reading the gospel parables; the imagery helps with learning the lessons. In our passage today, the Lord shares a parable about the Good Shepherd who reveals his devotion to every individual lamb. Each lamb represents great worth and value. When the Shepherd notices one lamb has wandered into the wilderness, he goes to rescue the lost lamb. When he finds the lamb, the Shepherd doesn’t scold or beat the lamb; he does punish it. Instead, the Shepherd tenderly carries the lamb back and invites his friends to celebrate with him. He restores the lamb into the fellowship of the flock.
Jesus came to seek and save lost human souls; each soul is valuable to the Lord. Therefore, acting as the Good Shepherd, he came to search for and rescue the repentant wanderer and welcome him or her back into his loving care and into fellowship with his spiritual flock. Christ in you will be searching for those who need to be rescued. Are you looking to be a part of the Lord’s rescue mission for lost souls?
Prayer: Lord, your Word reveals your heart for people all the time. Help me to reflect your heart for the lost and wandering souls and celebrate each one who repents and returns. In Jesus’ name. Amen.