Bible Verse of the Day Friday January 26th, 2024

 Luke 15:4-7 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 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.

When Jesus spoke the parable of the "Lost Sheep," He had an essential message for Christians of all ages that clearly outlined the obligation and duty we have to the lost souls of this world.

Even though the Shepherd had all but one of his sheep accounted for, he was not contented and happy; he wanted to ensure all the sheep were secure within the herd. He could have bragged about what a good shepherd he was and how, out of 100 sheep, he had only lost one. He knew that all the sheep depended on him to ensure their place with the flock and to go out and search for them if they were lost and separated from the rest. Some flock keepers would have taken for granted that the lost sheep would eventually find its own way back. Because of his concern for the sheep, and because of his love for each one, he went out into the darkness and danger and loneliness of the night, continuing to search until the lost sheep was found and restored. He experienced great joy upon finding the lost sheep, and he lovingly carried it to the safety of the fold.

The lost sheep was obviously separated from the flock; as it looked around, there was grass to eat and water to drink. It thought it had all it needed to sustain its life. The Shepherd went out to recover the one "Lost Sheep," when he found it he rejoiced and wanted all his friends to experience the joy he felt in recovering this lost sheep. The people he shared this with would have discovered that to bring back a lost sheep was a joyful and triumphant occasion.

As Children of God today, we have the same responsibility that the shepherds of old had for their lost sheep. Christians live under a directive from our Lord and Savior to seek out the lost and to help them become a part of our flock. This world would be very different if we, as believers, realized and understood that the answer that Jesus gives to the question "Am I my brother's keeper?" is a monumental and conclusive "yes."

When Christians realize this, we will be as tenacious and passionate for the lost as the shepherd in the Parable of Jesus was. The whole meaning of being our brother's keeper is that we will leave the safety of our comfort zone to bring the lost to the knowledge of the Gospel of Christ Jesus. The greatest thing anyone can do for another person is to introduce them to Christ Jesus.