MPV Commentary

The Lost Sheep.

This parable is repeated from Matthew 18:12-14, but with a different emphasis. In Matthew, Jesus highlights how precious one of His sheep is to the Good Shepherd. Here, He emphasizes that the shepherd will seek out and rejoice over even the most wayward sheep.

Jesus says the shepherd leaves the ninety-nine behind and focuses all his attention on finding the lost sheep. This doesn't mean he thinks it's insignificant or that there are enough others to compensate for its absence. Rather, he is determined to recover this one sheep at any cost.

The parable suggests that God will use various means to bring sinners back to Himself. The shepherd's joy when he finds the lost sheep is so great that he can hardly contain it. He wants to share his happiness with others, as we see in verse 10.

In contrast, the ninety-nine who are already following the shepherd don't need repentance or recovery. They have been faithful and obedient from childhood, much like the well-behaved brother of the prodigal son (Luke 15:29-31). These individuals represent those who have grown up in a relationship with God and remain faithful to Him.