The Lost Sheep: Jesus Teaches About God's Care For Everyone

One day, some men who were always good were watching Jesus closely. They saw that he often spent time with people they thought were bad. Jesus heard them grumbling about this. He needed to show them that he loved and cared for everyone, so he made up a 'teaching story' to help them understand. We call these stories 'parables'.

This is the story:

Once there was a shepherd who looked after one hundred fine sheep. He was very proud of them and took great care of them all. Every day he led them to places where they could find fresh green grass and clear water.

He kept watch over them in case wild animals attacked the smaller, weaker ones. He never left them alone. He ate his meals with them and probably passed the time by making music or talking to other shepherds. Each evening he led them back to the safety of the sheep fold. Here he would fasten the gate securely so that they were safe for the night.

Because the shepherd spent so much time with his sheep he got to know them all really well - he could tell which was which easily, he knew them and they knew him. If they got mixed up with another flock of sheep, all the shepherd needed to do was to call and his own sheep came to him - they each knew his voice, then he could lead them away.

One day - after a long day on the hillsides, moving slowly from green patch to green patch of grass, the shepherd saw the sun was setting and it was time to reach the safety of the sheepfold. As usual he counted the sheep into the fold -

1,2,3,4,5, ... and so on until 97, 98, 99 ...

But where was the hundredth?

The shepherd thought a bit, then realised exactly which sheep was missing... It was that little one who never seemed to listen and follow the flock. More than once before the shepherd had needed to use his crook to bring it from a rocky place. Now what had it done?

Did the shepherd think "Oh well, I've got 99, that's quite a lot - it will do!" ?

NO! He left the 99 safely penned and went searching and calling in the darkening evening for the lost sheep. He went back along all the paths he had been on that day - stopping to call and be still, listening for the smallest bleat.

And then at last, he heard the tiniest noise - he listened again - there it was - a weak bleat. The shepherd searched amongst the rocks and saw where the little sheep had wandered and then slipped down a steep rock face.

It had tried to scramble up and was so tired. The shepherd leaned over and used his crook to catch hold of his little sheep and pull it up. He placed it round his shoulders and, feeling warm and safe, the little sheep slept. Soon the shepherd was home and the little sheep was safe in the fold. The sheep was pleased to be home and the shepherd was so joyful that he had found it that he called out his friends and neighbours and had a celebration party!

Jesus spoke to the 'good' men:

"I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner (bad) person who repents (feels and says sorry) than over 99 righteous (good) people who do not need to repent"

You can find this story in the Bible. Read it for yourself in Luke chapter 15 verses 1 - 7.