VERSE PASSAGE: Luke 15:4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?” – NIV
This is an amazing parable. Even though this is not the whole thing this one part does speak volumes. Jesus was talking to the dreadful religious leaders who were upset because Jesus ate with all kinds of sinners. Jesus tells them a parable that is truly amazing and is the heart of His Ministry and how the Kingdom of God operates. Jesus was talking about finding the lost sheep. Finding those who were not saved. As a good Shepard does when a sheep is lost. The Pharisees understood that a Shepard would go find the lost sheep as it was his responsibility but they did not understand it was Jesus’ mission to save those lost sheep. They also did not understand that it was them too who needed to be saved as they were just as lost as the sinners.
Sadly there are many religious people who try to separate the religious from the sinners; as if they are separable. This is a selfish and prideful perspective. We need to be focused on Jesus and have that eternal perspective. Everyone needs Jesus no matter who you are. Even the 99 who are followers of Christ. They are included in the ones who need Him.
VERSE PASSAGE: Luke 15:7 “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” – NIV
There is rejoicing in Heaven every time one single sinner repents. Why? Because they are in essence the one sheep that was lost and is now found and brought home. Jesus places high importance on finding and saving the lost sheep. Even if it’s only one. Many times we also have a perspective that the only way to be effective and do something great for the kingdom is to save thousands at a time, to have megachurches, to do all this other stuff. But Jesus turns the tables around and says that Heaven rejoices even if it’s one life.
This is the eternal perspective that we need to have. Some of us are not called to spend our life’s on foreign soil. However, we all have one person that we can impact in our life. It is in the simple salvation of one person that causes all of Heaven to break out in happiness. Let’s put aside all other thinking. Let’s start looking through the eternal perspective. All need Him, even that one single lost sheep.
God bless you my brothers and sisters in Christ.
Spirit Warrior Ministry 