3 Parable of the Lost Sheep Lessons

In the Parable of the Lost Sheep, a shepherd has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders off and gets lost.

The shepherd leaves the ninety-nine sheep and searches for the lost one until he finds it, carries it home, and celebrates its return.

Parable of the Lost Sheep Meaning

The Bible uses many references to shepherding (which the people understood at the time) and makes clear that Jesus is our shepherd and we are His sheep. One example is:

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:11 NIV

When one of the sheep wanders away from his shepherd, it represents a lost sinner who wanders from Jesus by choosing to lead a sinful life according to their own worldly pleasures and desires.

Jesus doesn’t stop that person from wandering away because God loves us so much that He gave us free will to make our own choices in life.

But He never gives up on the person who walks away from Him, no matter how many other faithful children He has by His side.

He still loves and misses and wants the lost one to return. Having that one person return back home to Jesus is cause for great celebration.

We can think about this in today’s terms. A parent of multiple children would search for a lost child even though they have other children they also love. Or a child would search for a lost parent even though they also love their other parent.

What does the Lost Sheep story teach us?

The message of the Parable of the Wandering Sheep is clear: God’s desire, known as God’s Will, is to bring all sinners home to Him.

That includes you. He loves you. You matter to Him. Every last person matters to Him.

There are 7.8 billion people on our planet. God created each of His children and knows all of us by name.

He knows us so completely that He’s counted the hairs on each of our heads! God desires that all 7.8 billion people follow Jesus so they can enjoy the magnificence of eternal life.

7.8 billion people. Not 7.8 billion minus 1. He will go after that 1 until all His children are ‘home’.

If you are the lost sheep, you can be sure He’s searching for you and never giving up. Just say the word.  He’s waiting with open arms to scoop you up and carry you home.

If you’re not the lost sheep, but you’re one of the faithful ninety-nine, don’t be disgruntled by our Father’s love for the lost one.

You can be assured that His love for you is not in any way diminished by His efforts and desire to bring any lost family members home. Your place in the Kingdom of Heaven is waiting!

3 Lost Sheep Lessons about God’s Love for Us:

1. God loves you more than you can imagine.

You are so important to God that if you leave Him by choosing to live your life without Him, He will follow you to the ends of the earth.

He stays by your side, no matter if you acknowledge Him or not.

There’s nothing you can do that will stop the heart of God from loving you. This is His amazing unending love!

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
 Matthew 28:20 NIV

2. You are welcome to His Kingdom – Always.

The moment you choose to turn to Him, He’ll open His arms and celebrate your return. His greatest joy is having one of His lost return home.

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.
 Luke 15:7 NIV

3. God never gives up on you.

No matter how long you stray or what you’ve done, our Great Father has mercy on those who ask for forgiveness. His mercy endures forever. You are His child. All it requires is to come home to Him.

Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
  Luke 7:47 NIV

Are you seeking deeper faith, a more meaningful life, or greater inner peace?

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More Parables!

Do you love the parables as much as I do? You may enjoy reading life lessons on these others (listed below), these activities for adults and children, or this list of Parables and Meanings. More parable lessons are underway. See them all HERE!

Do you love journaling? Does writing down your personal reflections help you process your thoughts more fully? Perhaps these Christian writing journals will be helpful as you reflect on the life lessons of the parables.

• 6 Lessons from Mustard Seed Faith
• 4 Parable of the Hidden Treasure Lessons
• 5 Life Lessons from the Parable of the Talents
• 3 Parable of the Lost Sheep Lessons
• The Parable of the Sower explained – which soil are you like?
• 4 Life Lessons from The Parable of the Ten Virgins
• 3 Life Lessons from the Parable of the Rich Fool
• 3 Lessons from the Parable of the Vineyard Workers
• Parable of the Lost Coin Spiritual Lessons
• The Parable of Two Sons – 3 Spiritual Life Lessons
• The Parable of the Weeds – 4 Spiritual Lessons
• The Parable of the Persistent Widow
• Lessons from the Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector
• The Parable of the Pearl Life Lessons
• The Parable of the Great Banquet Lessons
• Parable of the Shrewd Manager Life Lessons
• Parable of the Yeast Life Lessons for Today
• Parable of the Unforgiving Servant Life Lessons
• Parable of the Wedding Feast Life Lessons
• Parable of the Net Life Lessons
• The Parable of the Growing Seed
• The Parable of the Tenants Life Lessons
• Parable of the Fig Tree Life Lessons
• Lazarus and the Rich Man Parable Life Lessons
• Parable of the Good Shepherd Bible Lessons
• Parable of the Wineskins Spiritual Lessons
• Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders Lessons
• Parable of the Faithful Servant Life Lessons
• Parable of the Lamp Life Lessons
• Parable of the Two Debtors Life Lessons
• Parable of the Householder Life Lessons
• Parable of the Friend at Midnight Life Lessons
• Parable of the Master and Servant Life Lessons
• Parable of the Watchful Servants Life Lessons
• Take the Lowest Seat Parable Life Lessons
• The Parable of the Prodigal Son Life Lessons
• 5 Parable of the Good Samaritan Lessons
• The Cost of Being a Disciple Life Lessons

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