Scripture
3 So Jesus told them this story: 4 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. 6 When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!
Luke 15:3-7
Observation
Amazing how the shepherd leaves behind the other 99 sheep in the wilderness in order to go out and seek for the one lost sheep. At first glimpse you think that the shepherd is extremely passionate about the lost to the point of neglecting the others. But this is not the nature of the shepherd. He is not controlled by impulses or emotions. He is able to leave them behind because he has been diligent. This is an important detail, because the shepherd doesn’t leave the sheep unattended while he goes out in His rescue mission. The only way that the story makes sense is if the shepherd has created an environment where the sheep are safe, even when he is gone. In that way, he is free to go, knowing that the 99 others will be OK in his absence, because there’s other faithful shepherds with him that will take good care of the sheep. Good shepherds are not only passionate about the lost, but diligent to take care of the flock through a team of equally minded shepherds.
Application
Discipleship doesn’t have to be sacrificed for the sake of evangelism. Passion for the Lost without diligence towards those who are won can result in a very destructive environment. This is comforting to know, that in this matter, we can do evangelism and discipleship with excellence when we develop a group of likeminded shepherds that understand the importance of the mission. Bringing people closer to God implies going to seek the lost and nurture those who are found. Some people are miles away from God, and others are yards away from God. All of them need shepherd to guide them. That’s the reason I need to keep cultivating a team of shepherds that understand this principle well and that shepherd people with a big heart. I must continue training shepherds. Good shepherds will always be good leaders. Not every good leader is a good shepherd. I couldn’t be at peace going to seek the lost if the team back home is not strong. And when we find the lost and bring them back to our Father’s house, we rejoice together the same way that Jesus described when the shepherd gathers his friends, his fellow shepherds, for the celebration.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you so much for giving our church such an amazing group of shepherds and leaders that allow me to go out and seek the lost. Please help us to keep a balanced passion to bring people closer to God in evangelism and discipleship, and that we will never have to sacrifice one for the other. We pray that you will continue rising up shepherds in our church to lead your people and keep them closer to you. Amen!
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