Once upon a time there was a shepherd who had many sheep. Every day he led the sheep to a green meadow. There they could play and eat grass. The shepherd knew each sheep and knew exactly how many there were. In the evening, when the sun went down, he took her back to the safety of the stable.
One day the shepherd counted his sheep: “One, two, three … Ninety-nine.” Oh no! One of the sheep was not there! A sheep had lost its way somewhere. The shepherd was very worried. He loved each and every one of his sheep. The lost sheep was also very important to him.
Without hesitation, the good shepherd left the ninety-nine sheep in the stable and went in search of the one lost sheep. He climbed up small hills and rummaged through bushes. He cried, “Where are you, little sheep?”
And lo and behold, after a while he heard a soft bleating. There it was, the little sheep had become entangled in a thorn bush. The shepherd gently freed the sheep and lifted it onto his shoulders. With joy and a smile on his face, he carried it home.
The shepherd called his friends and neighbors: “Come here! Rejoice with me! I have found my lost sheep!” Everyone rejoiced with the shepherd.
In the same way, Jesus explained, God is pleased with every single person. Even if only one of many is lost, God is looking for him and is very happy when he finds him.
Message of history
God loves each of us so much. Even if we sometimes get lost, he seeks us and is happy when we come back to him.
Bible passage
The story of the lost sheep is found in Luke 15:1-7:
“And all the tax collectors and sinners drew near to him to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, “This man accepts 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, does not leave the 99 in the wilderness, and goes after the lost one until he finds it?” And when he has found it, he puts it on his shoulders with joy; and when he comes home, he calls his friends and neighbors 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 99 righteous people who have no need to repent.”
