Anchor My Faith

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

Scripture: Matthew 18:10-14

In the previous lesson we looked at the seriousness of our sin. In this lesson we will look at the importance of searching for lost sheep.

^{Mt 18:10} “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. ¹² What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 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. ¹⁴ So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.”

The “little ones” mentioned here is a reference to child used as an illustration, in Matthew 18:1 – 5, of childlike characteristics required of disciples of Jesus. These little ones, especially those new in the faith, are not to be despised, and with care being taken that we do not cause one of them to stumble and fall into sin.

For the protection of these little ones, the Father has angels that watch over them. These angels are “ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation” (Hebrews 1:14 ESV). There is, however, no implication that each child is assigned a guardian angel. These angels do have open and continuous communication with God about what is happening or about to happen with these who are to come to salvation or have just come to salvation.

³ “God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ . . . ⁴ chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love ⁵ he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will” (Ephesians 1:3 – 5 ESV). The Father has chosen and has predestined those who he will adopt and give as a gift to his Son. These are lost sheep, scattered throughout the domain of darkness, that Jesus commands us to find by preaching the gospel to all people. Believers who work on the frontlines in countries of persecution risk their lives in search of these lost sheep, referred to as sheep gone astray in the above illustration. These lost sheep have angels assigned to them for protection during this time of search leading up to their being born spiritually. I believe they are also active in bringing believers to them with the gospel. This process is enhanced in many places by these lost sheep having dreams and visions of Jesus.

In a similar parable in Luke 15:3 – 7 “gone astray” is replaced by “lost.” We therefore have two groups of sheep in view: one group are lost sheep whom the Father has chosen who have not yet been found and come to the time of their birth experience, and the other group are believers who do to neglect of their spiritual walk have gone astray and need help in getting back to the flock. In either case it is of most importance that a search be made, and the sheep brought to the flock in salvation or back to the flock in restoration.

Considering either of the above two groups (lost sheep or sheep gone astray), how does verse 14 fit into the picture? Looking at Matthew 7:21 – 23, Jesus points out a group of religious people who think and maybe profess to be true disciples but are not. I had a good friend that I worked with for several years who went onto the mission field with his family to work with languages and bible translation. After several years they returned, and he declared himself to be a woman and renounced his faith, losing his wife and job teaching language as a result. Being deceived, I financially supported he and his family on the mission field only to find out that he with a professing faith was living out a lie before me. I believe it is people like these that it is the Father’s will that they not perish but they will. My heart is deeply grieved by what has happened and the direction his/her life is now going. For me, this is a clear example of Hebrews 6:4 – 6.

Conclusion

Having been born spiritually “we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10 ESV). It is of utmost importance that our good works include seeking for lost sheep and for those who have gone astray.