Applying the Parable of the Lost Sheep to Our Lives
The Parable of the Lost Sheep, found in both Matthew 18:12-14 and Luke 15:3-7, illustrates God's diligent pursuit of those who have strayed. In these accounts, Jesus asks his listeners to consider a shepherd with a hundred sheep: if one goes astray, the shepherd leaves the ninety-nine and searches for the lost one until it is found [3, 5]. This parable was spoken by Jesus to justify his conduct in associating with sinners [7].
Sheep were a significant part of ancient Hebrew life, used for sacrifice, food, clothing, and even tribute [6]. The imagery of sheep and shepherds is prevalent throughout the Old Testament, often depicting God's relationship with his people. For instance, Ezekiel 34:12 describes God as a shepherd who will seek out his scattered sheep [4]. Jeremiah 50:6 laments that "My people have been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray," highlighting a state of spiritual wandering [1]. The Psalmist also confesses, "I have gone astray like a lost sheep" [2].
The "lost sheep" in the parable can be understood as heedless, thoughtless sinners who follow their own corrupt desires [7]. John Gill, a Baptist/Reformed commentator, interprets the "lost sheep of the house of Israel" in Matthew 10:6 as either the Jewish people generally, who were lost in error and sin, or more specifically, the elect among them [11]. He also notes that all of God's elect are in a sense "lost sheep" in their natural state, even if they are still considered God's people [10]. The Psalmist's confession of going astray is seen by Gill as applicable to believers who wander from God's word and precepts after conversion [12].
The parable emphasizes the shepherd's persistent search "until he find it" [5]. Once found, there is great rejoicing. The joy is not merely on the part of the angels, but primarily belongs to the Great Shepherd and Owner Himself, who celebrates the recovery of His lost property [8]. Tertullian, an early Church Father, highlights that the one who seeks the lost sheep is the one who originally possessed it, emphasizing God's ownership and pursuit of humanity [9]. The parable thus underscores divine initiative and the immense value God places on each individual who is lost.
Sources
- Jeremiah “My people have been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray; they have turned them away on the mountains; they have gone from mountain to hill; they have forgotten their resting place. -- Jeremiah 50:6”
- Psalms “I have gone astray like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I don’t forget your commandments. -- Psalms 119:176”
- Matthew ““What do you think? If a man has one hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine, go to the mountains, and seek that which has gone astray? -- Matthew 18:12”
- Ezekiel “As a shepherd seeks out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered abroad, so will I seek out my sheep; and I will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. -- Ezekiel 34:12”
- Luke ““Which of you men, if you had one hundred sheep, and lost one of them, wouldn’t leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one that was lost, until he found it? -- Luke 15:4”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Sheep — Sheep were an important part of the possessions of the ancient Hebrews and of eastern nations generally. The first mention of sheep occurs in (Genesis 4:2) They were used in the sacrificial offering, as, both the adult animal, (Exodus 20:24) and the lamb. See (Exodus 29:28; Leviticus 9:3; 12:6) Sheep and lambs formed an important article of food. (1 Samuel 25:18) The wool was used as clothing. (Leviticus 13:47) "Rams skins dyed red" were used as a covering for the tabernacle. (Exodus 25:5) Sheep and lambs were sometimes paid as tribute. (2 Kings 3:4) It is ver”
- Luke (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Luke 15:4: What man of you - Our Lord spoke this and the following parable to justify his conduct in receiving and conversing with sinners or heathens. A hundred sheep - Parables similar to this are frequent among the Jewish writers. The whole flock of mankind, both Jews and Gentiles, belongs unto this Divine Shepherd; and it is but reasonable to expect, that the gracious proprietor will look after those who have gone astray, and bring them back to the flock. The lost sheep is an emblem of a heedless, thoughtless sinner: one who follows the corrupt dictates of his own heart, wit”
- Luke (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Luke 15:10: Likewise--on the same principle. joy, &c.--Note carefully the language here--not "joy on the part," but "joy in the presence of the angels of God." True to the idea of the parables. The Great Shepherd. The Great Owner Himself, is He whose the joy properly is over His own recovered property; but so vast and exuberant is it (Zac 8:17), that as if He could not keep it to Himself, He "calleth His friends and neighbors together"--His whole celestial family--saying, "Rejoice WITH ME, for I have found My sheep-My-piece," &c. In this sublime sense it is "joy,”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 3: Tertullian — CHAP. XXXII.--A SORT OF SORITES, AS THE LOGICIANS CALL IT, TO SHOW THAT THE PARABLES OF THE LOST SHEEP AND THE LOST DRACHMA HAVE NO SUITABLE APPLICATION TO THE CHRIST OF MARCION.: WhO sought after the lost sheep and the lost piece of silver?(18) Was it not the loser? But who was the loser? Was it not he who once possessed(19) them? Who, then, was that? Was it not he to whom they belonged?(20) Since, then, man is the property of none other than the Creator, He possessed Him who owned him; He lost him who once possessed him; He sought him who lost him; He found him who s”
- Jeremiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Jeremiah 50:6: My people hath been lost sheep,.... like lost sheep, without a shepherd, going astray the fold, wandering from place to place, having none to take care of them, guide and direct them, or to go in and out before them, and lead them into suitable pastures; so it was with the Jews in the Babylonish captivity, and so it is with them now, and yet the Lord's people still in some sense; he has a design of grace concerning them, a store of mercy for them, and thoughts of peace towards them, which will take place in due time; and such is the case of all God's elect in a stat”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 10:6: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. To whom he himself was sent, Mat 15:24. By "the house of Israel" is meant the whole Jewish nation; for though this phrase, when distinguished from the house of Judah, designs only the ten tribes; yet here it intends all the Jews, then living in the land of Judea, among whom there were some of all the tribes: and by "the lost sheep" of this house, are meant either all the people of the Jews in general, who were wandering, and were lost in error and sin, and to whom the external ministry of the Gospel came; or rat”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:171: I have gone astray like a lost sheep,.... In desert places, as it is the nature of sheep to do (o). A sheep he was, a sheep of Christ, given him by the Father; known by him, and that knew him; knew his voice, and followed him; a sheep of his hand, and of his pasture; one of the lost sheep of the house of Israel, who had been lost in Adam, though recovered by grace; and had gone astray before conversion, but now returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of souls; and since conversion had gone astray from the Shepherd and fold, from the word and precepts of it, through ina”