“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.”
Matthew 18:12-14
The Parable of the Lost Sheep is a well-known story of the Bible, one that brings comfort and security to new believers, as well as to believers who have lost their way.
At some point in our lives, we can all relate to the lost sheep. Even those of us who strive to walk in faith may wake up one day stumbling through the wilderness, wondering how we got to the place where we find ourselves. How easily can the bitterness, anger, resentment, circumstances, and temptations of life cause us to veer off course? How easily can a series of choices and decisions push us further away from safe places?
Even some of the greatest figures of the Bible did not always have a perfect walk with God; we are certainly not alone in our straying. We collectively take comfort in the words “will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?” When we are that lost sheep, we are grateful for the risks that Jesus takes to save us. We rejoice in being rescued. We collapse, exhausted, into our Father’s strong arms. We are elated to find our way home.
There have been many times in my life when I have been the lost sheep.
And there have been other times when I have been among the 99, walking contentedly in my faith, spending ample time with the Father, feeling protected and at peace.
Admittedly, I have experienced resentment when reading the Parable of the Lost Sheep during seasons when I have been among the 99. Are the 99 not of the same value and importance as the one?
Recently, I happened upon a drawing. A young man took to pencil and paper to give a visual representation of the Parable of the Lost Sheep. It wasn’t until I saw this artwork that I understood why the 99 were left alone so that the shepherd could rescue the one that strayed. In his drawing, the 99 sheep were so snugly drawn together that you could not see any blank spots on the paper between them. Nor did they have any dangerous landscape or predators close by.
This piqued my curiosity to read more about the behavior of sheep, a subject I knew nothing about. I discovered information that put the Parable of the Lost Sheep in a new light for me.
I found out that sheep are social animals. They will stay together in a group and move as a herd, and will often become stressed and panicked when separated from other sheep. They band together in large groups for protection from predators. They recognize the voice of their shepherd and naturally follow him.
If sheep are such social animals, why do some sheep stray from their flock? A sheep will leave its flock if it becomes panicked from a perceived threat, if it sees an interesting object and wants to satisfy its curiosity, or if it’s simply not paying attention when grazing. When the wandering sheep realizes that it has been separated from its flock, it will become frightened and begin calling for help.
In Biblical times, much like in many regions of the world today, sheep are essential livestock. They provide milk, food, and wool, so having a shepherd watch over a flock of sheep was vital for warding off predators and for helping to bring a lost sheep back to its herd. Leaving 99 sheep to find one is an innocuous decision for a shepherd; the shepherd knows that it is in the nature of the 99 to remain together while he steps away to save the one.
Much like the 99 sheep, when an individual is connected to their church community, they find a natural network of protection. They have a family to pray for them and with them, they have a family to check in with them and make sure they are safe. Collectively, they protect one another from the temptations and snares of the outside world.
The 99 are of no less importance to the shepherd, to Jesus. Jesus knows if He doesn’t leave to rescue the one who is calling for His help, the dangers of the world will absolutely ensnare it. There are many frightened, lost sheep in our world right now. Many who feel hopeless and helpless. Many who are isolated and in danger. The lost sheep will not find its way back without the Shepherd.
When I find myself among the 99, I no longer experience resentment. I take heart in knowing I am resting in the natural shelter of the Church, in the body of believers. I am of no less value to God, but rather, He knows that I am safe as I remain in the fortification of other followers.
“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own blood.” – Acts 20:28.
Tracy Huneycutt has been a member of the Journey Church family since 2020. She enjoys serving food on Breakfast Sundays, teaching Kindergarten-2nd grade JKids, and being a part of the Moms Group. Her family consists of her husband, John, her son, Reid, and her Labrador, Suki. Tracy writes blogs and social media content as a copywriter and freelance marketing agent. She is blessed to have additional opportunities to write, especially to share the love and wisdom of the Father.
