God’s Pursuing Love
Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” So He spoke this parable to them, saying: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. Luke 15:1-7
The Parable of the Lost Sheep is an amazing illustration of God’s relentless and pursuing love for each one of us. We used to be that one sheep who wandered off and were found through the eyes of God’s grace. That is why we are now part of God’s family. This parable reminds us of our first love and illustrates our relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ.
The 99 sheep Jesus was talking about that did not wander off represented the Pharisees and scribes who were looking down at the sinners. They could not stand seeing Jesus accepting sinners and inviting them to be with him. That is why Jesus gave them this parable.
But the Lord wasn’t after the affection of the Pharisees and scribes, who knew the law and practices every bit through their own self efforts yet had no love for their neighbors who were different, like the “sinners.” They thought highly of themselves by labeling others as sinners, not realizing that everyone has sinned and falls short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,).
Yet the parable shows us that when one sheep wanders off, Jesus Christ would be happier to pursue the one that is lost than stay with those who never wandered off. Does this mean we should keep sinning so that God will be happy? No, definitely not. Jesus was merely exposing the hearts of the Pharisees and the scribes who thought highly of themselves. Jesus was referring to His coming as their Savior, Healer, Deliverer, and Great Shepherd. He was also saying that only those who are in need of Him will benefit from who He is. Considering how the Pharisees and the scribes were thinking and acting, it seemed that Jesus had no place in their lives. That’s why the Lord and the whole of heaven rejoice when even one sinner repents. It accomplishes the will and purpose of God. When we realize that we need Jesus more than anything and anyone in this life, we walk according to His righteousness and not our own.
This parable speaks to our lives today—we are to remain humble in our heart before God, and our righteousness should never be based on how well we perform in the Kingdom but in the finished work of Jesus Christ alone. This parable reminds us that we were once lost sheep but are now found in Christ. And when someone wanders off from the path of righteousness, we must bring back that person in love, truth, grace and mercy, just like Jesus Christ did for us. And if you think you are that one sheep wandering and lost right now, know that God’s love for you never changes. He never leaves you and will constantly pursue you until He has won your heart back. God’s love for you is greater than anything anyone in this world can ever give you.
