There is a wonderful story in the Bible that Jesus told. It is about a shepherd and his sheep. A shepherd is someone who takes care of sheep and protects them. Jesus wanted to show people something important about God’s love with this story.
Once upon a time there was a shepherd who had 100 sheep. Every day he led them to lush meadows and fresh streams so that they could eat a lot of grass and drink clean water. The shepherd knew every single sheep and knew that they were happy and healthy.
One evening, as the shepherd was counting his sheep, he realized that one was missing. There were only 99 sheep left in his barn. What had happened? A small sheep had gotten lost. Maybe it had followed a butterfly or ran away in search of a beautiful flower. It was all alone and had not found its way back.
The shepherd could have stayed with the 99 sheep, but he didn’t. Instead, he left them safely in the stable and immediately went in search of the one lost sheep. He walked through dark forests, over rocky hills and through green meadows. The night was dark and the wind was cold, but the shepherd did not give up.
Finally, when he was already a little tired, he heard a soft bleating. The shepherd looked closely and saw his lost sheep. It sat frightened on a rock. The shepherd hurried over and lifted the little sheep on his shoulders. He was overjoyed to have found his sheep again!
Full of joy, he carried it back home. When he arrived, he called his friends and neighbors together: “Rejoice with me! I have found my lost sheep!” Everyone was happy about the good news and celebrated together.
Jesus told this story to show how much God loves us. Even when we get lost or make mistakes, God looks for us and rejoices when we come back to Him.
Message of history
God loves each of us so much that He seeks us when we are lost. He is very happy when we come to Him, because we are especially valuable to Him.
Bible passage
The story of the lost sheep in Luke 15:1-7 (Schlachter 2000) reads:
*”And all the tax collectors and sinners approached him to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”
And he said to them this parable, saying, “What man is there among you who has a hundred sheep, and if he loses one of them, he will not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until he finds it?” And when he has found it, he puts it on his shoulders full of joy; and when he comes home, he calls his friends and neighbors together and says to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” I say to you, so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.” *
