EP 44: The Parable of the Lost Sheep
This week, we're diving into one of my favorite parables, the Parable of the Lost Sheep in Luke 15. There are so many beautiful and rich truths to take away from this passage, and I pray the Lord would use this episode to remind you of them and encourage you with them! Enjoy, sister!
Welcome
Well, hey there, and welcome back to another episode of the Daughter of Delight podcast! I’m so glad you are joining me today. We are going to be spending some time in one of my favorite parables, the Parable of the Lost Sheep. This parable is filled with beautiful, encouraging truths and I look forward to soaking them in alongside you!
Announcements
A few things before we dive in…
01. Encouragement with Elle
First of all, just in case you missed it, I launched an IGTV series called Encouragement with Elle a few weeks ago. Now, I’m going to be honest- I very much so prefer to be sitting behind the mic instead of in front of the camera, but I also know that people prefer video to audio. Because of that, one of my goals for this year is to get in front of the camera. And so I thought, what better way to do that than by creating something that allows me to continue pouring into my Daughter of Delight sisters for the sake of Christ. So! If you haven’t checked it out yet, please do and let me know what you think. Encouragement with Elle comes out every Monday evening around 8 PM CST and you can find the first four on the IGTV section of the Daughter of Delight Instagram profile. I’m actually having more fun than what I thought I would with this, so I’d love for you to come hang out and engage in meaningful conversation with me each Monday.
02. Review of the Month giveaway
Second, don’t forget about this month’s review of the month giveaway! If you leave a review between now and February 28, you will be entered for a chance to with a Daughter of Delight dad hat and an Amazon gift card. I will announce the winner on the first Wednesday of March, which is March 3.
03. Special News!
Third, some really special news is coming to the Daughter of Delight community on Monday, February 15. Like, reaaally special! So, mark your calendar because I don’t want you to miss out on the big news. Oh my gosh, I’m so excited!
Today's Episode is Brought to You By Dwell
And finally, today’s podcast episode is brought to you by Dwell. Sister, this is my all-time favorite app. In fact, I am making my way through the chronological order of the Bible with Dwell this year. I have never been one to listen to someone read to me, but Dwell has been the one thing to change my mind. Dwell cultivates such a special listening experience when it comes to hearing Word of God and I’m so excited for you to check it out! If you do, be sure to give the Nigel and George accents a try. They’re my favorites! If you download Dwell and discover that you love it a lot like me, you can get 33% off the annual plan by visiting dwellapp.io/daughterofdelight.
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
Alright, that’s all the announcements I’ve got for you today, so let’s go ahead and shift our focus to, the Parable of the Lost Sheep. Grab your Bible, your notepad and some pens if you can, because we’re really going to dive in.
Luke 15:1-2
I am going to kick us off by reading the parable to us from the NIV translation. If you can, open your Bible to Luke 15 starting in verse 1: 15 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”
Helpful Contextual need-to-knows
Okay, let’s talk about some key contextual need-to-knows. Tax collectors were Jews who worked for the Roman Empire. They collected taxes from their countrymen and were known for charging more than what was required so that they could pocket the difference and enrich their own lives. So terrible, I know. That being said, it should come as no surprise that they were hated by their fellow countrymen.When the Pharisees saw Jesus eating with sinners and tax collectors, they were enraged! Absolutely furious! In their eyes, Christ’s actions were much worse than a mere association with them...in the eyes of the Pharisees, Jesus’ actions illustrated welcome, acceptance and recognition.But we know that Jesus didn’t come to please man, now did He? What was the entire purpose of Jesus’s ministry, sister? To seek and save the lost. US! To be the bridge of reconciliation between us and our Father. Jesus sitting with the sinner and the tax collector here in Luke 15 reflects God’s very heart for seeking and saving. Our role in His restoration purposes is to speak and live out this very truth. Jesus knew He wouldn’t be able to fulfill His role here on earth if He did not meet with sinners like us. So, it should come as no surprise that He did not let the Pharisaic censure interfere with his ministry. Instead, He responded to the Pharisees and scribes by challenging them with three parables to help open their eyes to the joy of God when the lost are found. Today, as you already know, we are going to reflect specifically on the parable of the lost sheep. So, let’s take a look starting in verse 3:
Luke 15:3-7
3 So he told them this parable: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
The Role of the shepherd
Now, let’s talk about shepherding for just a minute. This was a very common occupation in ancient Israel. So much so, that everyone was either related to or had regular contact with a shepherd. Some shepherds would care for their family’s flock in fields close to the village. Other shepherds would travel from village to village for trade purposes. A shepherd’s flock commonly consisted of sheep and goats, but sheep required extra care because they had little ability when it came to defending themselves and keeping away from danger. Because sheep are a prey animal, their instinct in the face of danger is to flee not fight.Because of this, sheep heavily relied on the shepherd to protect them. And that, he did. In the evening hours, the shepherd would lead his flock to a protected area. And here’s a fun little fact for you: Thorny branches were often used as barbed wire. Creative, right?A good shepherd loved and cared for his sheep deeply. He knew each one. And, in return, the sheep would know and respond to the voice of their shepherd alone.
Luke 15:4
Look at verse 4 with me: 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? This parable accurately reflects the genuine love and care a Middle Eastern shepherd had for his flock. In fact, the relationship between a shepherd and his sheep was so strong that it became a metaphor for the relationship of our great God to His people. The Good Shepherd goes after His own, and this parable is proof in the pudding, sister. Like the shepherd left the ninety-nine in search for one lost sheep, Jesus abandoned the table of the so-called “righteous” Pharisees in order to eat and care for the soul-sick people that needed a spiritual doctor.
God's Heart is For the Lost
Sister, this is POWERFUL. Let me tell you why that is- because our Heavenly Father’s heart is for the LOST! And because God’s heart is for the lost, we have been FOUND. God actively seeks out sinners like you and me with the intent to bring them Home! What a truth worth rejoicing in! And that’s exactly what our Shepherd does when He finds the one.
Luke 15:5-6
Look at verses 5-6 with me:5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ Finding the lost is a joyful experience. The shepherd happily brings the sheep home on his shoulders. His joy of finding his lost one overshadows everything else. Sister, our Great Shepherd delights in the rescue. As we see in the parable, the return of the lost sheep is worthy of celebration...a great banquet. God invites us into this very celebration! To feast at His table.
Luke 15:7
Finally, let’s take a look at verse 7.7 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.Verse 7 gives a taste of the joy in heaven over one repentant sinner. God invites us to repent and surrender ourselves at feet. To confess and turn away from our sin so that we can truly turn toward His great mercy and love. As we know, sin leads to death and destruction. Because Christ laid down His life for us, however, a way has been made for us to repent and be reconciled with our Father in Heaven. In Christ, our sins are completely covered and forgiven. And thanks be to God for that!
God Saves Undeserving Sinners (Like You and Me)
In His great love, God comes after undeserving sinners like us. This is such a beautiful and freeing truth! To even consider that He delights in me despite my muck, sin, and shame-- that, when He looks at me through the lens of Christ-- all my dirt is washed away and I am perfect in Christ-- this just blows me away. Our Good Shepherd has every intent to find His children no matter how they stray or wander. In the midst of our wilderness, He pursues us, calls out to us in Love, delivers us to where we belong, and lovingly takes back the lead in the journey. This is the beautiful message of the Gospel, friends. It’s a simple, yet totally complex truth and we are to take heart and play our part in it. We are to share the good news of God’s Word with the lost sheep in this world. Let’s be His messengers of this incredible and life-giving truth today, shall we?
We Will Never Outgrow Our Need For Our Good Shepherd
And remember, even when we may grow to live according to His example in shepherding others, we will never outgrow our need for our Good Shepherd. Christ Jesus is the chief shepherd of all God’s people. Jesus has and will always go before us, and this is marvelous news. Nothing can snatch us from His hand.My prayer for us all is that we would faithfully and courageously committed to the search. That we would step out of our comfort zone and into the places where the dark and hurting live, so that they might be saved and led to their good and glorious Shepherd. Every lost soul is of great value in His eyes, sisters. Be diligent in seeking out every opportunity you can to make His name known. Soli deo Gloria.
Thank You
Thank you so much for tuning in to today’s episode! I hope it encouraged you to rejoice in the truth that, in Christ, we are no longer lost sheep, but sheep on a mission for the sake of our Chief Shepherd. As we pray and seek out opportunities to point the lost sheep in this world to the only One who saves, may we do so with our gaze fixed on Him. My prayer for you today is inspired by the words of Numbers 6:24-26: “The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace” (ESV). Talk with you next Wednesday!