Parable of the Lost Sheep

Matthew 18:12-14 Read through. In order to understand this parable it’s important to
see why Jesus tells it (Matthew 18:1-5, 10) Essentially He is saying this parable about
little children, but by extension this parable is about all people who stick with God (Luke
12:32, 15:7). Matthew 18:12 He begins by asking what the crowd thinks – in other
words He wants to know if we’re going to agree with the next words out of His mouth. A
man owns 100 sheep. Who is the man? – (Matthew 18:14) the man in the parable is
Father God. Jesus says the man owns them. So what does this mean? (Colossians 1:15-
16; they belong to God, but this doesn’t mean they’re Christians – Psalm 50:12). Also,
the people He talks to would immediately know that this is too many sheep for one man
to look after. Because of this, it’s implied in the parable that this man has helpers to look
after the sheep (Hebrews 1:14, 1 Peter 5:2).

One of them wanders off – falls into sin, how do we know that’s what “wanders” means?
(Matthew 18:6). So the man leaves the 99 to go after the 1 wanderer – what does this
tell us about God’s character? (Luke 19:10). Where does he leave the other 99? – On the
hills. Hills = unsafe territory. It’s easier to pick off sheep in the hills rather than in the
pen (Matthew 12:29), and left vulnerable what could happen? – (Matthew 7:15) and
what is the end result? – (John 10:10). But you may say, “What about the helpers?” –
(John 10:12-13). That’s because some who assist in shepherding the sheep aren’t good
servants of God (Ezekiel 34:1-6). Well God would not just abandon us right?
(Deuteronomy 31:6)

But then why does He leave? He expects that after following Him we wouldn’t want to
follow another, so that even in the hills (unsafe country) we would still be safe because
we know Him (John 10:2-5). Here we see that the sheep really shouldn’t get deceived if
they know their shepherd. This means God wants to be able to trust us to stick with Him
during rough times (Jeremiah 12:5). So what is God looking for when He leaves us? –
(2 Chronicles 32:31), God wants to see our hearts desires – are we still in love with
worldly things.

Matthew 18:13 if He finds the lost sheep. Why if? (NOT because they’re beyond God’s
reach; Isaiah 43:13, Numbers 11:23). Instead it’s because of man’s choice – (Hebrews
6:4-6, Romans 11:23). Some people flat out refuse God. Are these people beyond
saving? – (Ezekiel 36:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11) Not at all! Some of the worst
sinners to ever live have repented and been washed clean.

Then Jesus says the man is happier about finding the one sheep than about still having the
99 others. Why? – (Matthew 18:8-9) the alternative is eternal pain and suffering which
would greatly upset God (Ezekiel 18:32, 2 Peter 3:9). It’s not God’s will that anyone
would go to hell (Matthew 18:14, Luke 15:7).