![]() ![]() In Matthew, the flock represents the faithful earthly saints. ![]() What it Means That Jesus Leaves the Ninety-NineĪs has already been implied, the 99 of each parable represents a different group of people. Both to the lost sinner, and again to the found saint. To the sheep who are already in the fold, and to the sheep who are yet to come. Therefore, these parables combined speak to the complete body of Christ. Those who are to shepherd and disciple the flock as God would do ( 1 Peter 5:2). “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost,” ( Luke 19:10) not just the lost sheep of Israel ( Matthew 15:24) but also those from outside the fold - the gentiles ( John 10:16 Acts 28:28).Īt the same time, there has been given to the body of Christ human shepherds, in the form of pastors ( Acts 20:8). I don’t think that it’s by accident that the lost sheep in both parables end up representing the saved and unsaved, alike. This makes it easy to see the parables of lost sheep and their shepherd for what they truly are, genius word pictures describing God as a heavenly shepherd, Jesus as the shepherd come to earth, and their flock. But not just any shepherd - the good shepherd, ( John 10:11) the great shepherd ( Hebrews 13:20), and the chief shepherd ( 1 Peter 5:4). And if the people are sheep, God Himself is the Shepherd ( Psalm 23:1). Similarly, multiple references are found concerning the shepherd. This theme of believers of Jesus, or Christians, being sheep is repeated all throughout the Bible ( Matthew 10:6 Mark 14:27 Isaiah 53:6 Jeremiah 50:6) and used again in both parables, among other places. And they did so because the familiar points of reference added depth to what Jesus was trying to relay. It was here, the lost sheep, loving shepherd, and remaining flock, spoke so brilliantly and effectively to their respective situations. These parables, and many others, were used specifically because Jesus’ audience could immediately relate to them. This time, He addresses their judgmental attitudes toward the “unrighteous” liars and cheaters in the crowd. ![]() In Luke 15, the lost sheep parable is given in response to the disapproving comments of religious leaders. He uses it to address appropriate attitudes and disciplines among believers. In Matthew 18, the lost sheep parable is given in response to a question asked by Jesus’ disciples about who is the greatest. While both parable versions of the lost sheep use the same cast of characters, Jesus was actually speaking to two different audiences about two different concerns. To better understand these truths, we’ll need to take a closer look at the nature of parables and what is implied by the stories of the lost sheep. The lost sheep parables are no different and, indeed, point to some considerable truths, both here on earth and even in Heaven. This is because He often used short relatable stories to share deeper spiritual insights about Himself, His Father, and His Kingdom. It’s from these verses and their passages that we understand it is Jesus who leaves the 99. There are two places in the Bible that tell a parable of the lost sheep - of a loving shepherd who leaves his 99 sheep in search of one that is lost - Matthew 18:12 and Luke 15:4. ![]()
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