The Parable of the Lost Sheep
Today I want to share one of Jesus' most heartwarming stories called the Parable of the Lost Sheep. Jesus told this parable to help us understand how much God cares about every single person, even those who have wandered away.
When God Made You
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The Nicene Creed: Illustrated for Families
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Quiz of the Day
Which son did Jacob love more than all the others?
Which is the longest Psalm?
Who is the first mother mentioned in the Bible?
Which of the gospels appears last in the Bible?
What was the name of the man Jesus" mother was engaged to at the time she became pregnant?
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The Parable of the Lost Sheep
Chapter 1: The Setting of the Story
Jesus told this parable in response to criticism He was receiving. In Luke's gospel, we read: "Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, 'This man welcomes sinners and eats with them'" (Luke 15:1-2).
Religious leaders were upset that Jesus spent time with people they considered unworthy—tax collectors (who often cheated people and collaborated with Roman oppressors) and "sinners" (people who didn't follow religious rules). In their eyes, associating with such people made Jesus impure.
Instead of defending Himself directly, Jesus responded by telling three parables about lost things being found: a lost sheep, a lost coin, and a lost son (the Prodigal Son). Each story revealed God's heart toward those who are lost and the joy of restoration.
Chapter 2: The Shepherd's Dilemma
Jesus began the parable with a question: "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 one until he finds it?" (Luke 15:4).
In Matthew's version, Jesus asked: "What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?" (Matthew 18:12).
The shepherd in the story faced a dilemma. He had a large flock of one hundred sheep, but discovered that one was missing. Sheep are vulnerable animals that can easily get lost, fall into ravines, become trapped in thorny bushes, or be attacked by predators. A lost sheep alone in the wilderness was in serious danger.
The shepherd had two options: stay with the ninety-nine sheep who were safe or go search for the one that was lost. While it might seem more logical to protect the majority, the shepherd's concern for the single lost sheep led him to make a surprising choice.
Chapter 3: The Determined Search
Jesus continued the story, describing the shepherd's decision: "Doesn't he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost one until he finds it?" (Luke 15:4).
The shepherd's choice was remarkable. He temporarily left the majority of his flock to search for just one sheep. This decision involved risk and sacrifice. The wilderness could be dangerous, with rough terrain, predators, and unpredictable weather. The search might take hours or even days.
Notice the shepherd's determination—he searched "until he finds it." This wasn't a brief effort that would be abandoned if the sheep wasn't quickly found. The shepherd was committed to continuing the search for as long as necessary.
In real life, searching for a lost sheep would involve calling out, listening for bleating, looking for tracks or tufts of wool caught on bushes, and checking dangerous places where sheep might become trapped. The shepherd would be relentless, not giving up until the lost one was found.
Chapter 4: The Joyful Return
The shepherd's persistence was rewarded: "And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home" (Luke 15:5).
When the shepherd finally located the lost sheep, he didn't scold or punish it. Instead, he was filled with joy! His response shows relief and gladness, not anger at the trouble the sheep had caused.
The detail about putting the sheep on his shoulders is significant. A grown sheep could weigh 50-100 pounds, making this a physically demanding task. Yet the shepherd gladly carried this burden. The lost sheep, likely exhausted, injured, or frightened from its ordeal, received a gentle ride home on the shoulders of its caretaker.
Matthew's version emphasizes the shepherd's joy: "And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off" (Matthew 18:13).
This statement seems surprising—how could one sheep cause more happiness than ninety-nine? But anyone who has experienced finding something precious that was lost understands this feeling. The relief and joy of recovery can outweigh the steady contentment of possessing what was never lost.
Chapter 5: The Celebration
The shepherd's joy was so great that he wanted to share it with others: "Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep'" (Luke 15:6).
This wasn't a private happiness but a community celebration. The shepherd invited others to share in his joy. In small villages where everyone knew each other, a shepherd's success would be important news. His invitation to "rejoice with me" created a moment of shared happiness throughout the community.
This celebration might seem excessive for finding one sheep out of a hundred, but it reflects the true value the shepherd placed on each animal in his care. To him, every single sheep mattered.
Chapter 6: The Meaning Revealed
After telling the story, Jesus explained its deeper meaning: "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).
In Matthew's gospel, Jesus connected the parable to God's care for children: "In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish" (Matthew 18:14).
Jesus revealed that the parable illustrated God's perspective. Like the shepherd with his sheep, God deeply values each person. When someone who has been spiritually lost changes direction and returns to God (repents), all of heaven celebrates.
The image of heaven rejoicing over one person's return shows how deeply God cares about individuals. In God's eyes, no one is insignificant or unworthy of being sought after. Each person is valued and worth the effort to find and restore.
What Can We Learn About The Parable of the Lost Sheep?
- God cares about individuals - Just as the shepherd valued one sheep out of a hundred, God values each person personally. No one is just a number or face in the crowd to Him.
- God actively seeks the lost - The shepherd didn't wait for the sheep to find its way back—he went looking for it. Similarly, God takes initiative to reach those who have wandered away.
- Restoration brings great joy - Finding the lost sheep caused more celebration than the ninety-nine that stayed safe. Heaven rejoices when someone who was spiritually lost returns to God.
- God's love is sacrificial - The shepherd risked leaving the majority to save one lost sheep. This reflects God's willingness to make sacrifices out of love for people who are lost.
- Every person matters to God - The parable challenges us to value what God values—every individual, including those who might be overlooked or rejected by society.
Fun Activities for Kids
- Lost Sheep Hunt
Hide a small toy sheep (or several paper sheep cutouts) around your home or classroom. Give children clues to help them search for the "lost sheep." When all are found, celebrate with a small treat! Talk about how God searches for each person who has wandered away, and how happy He is when they are found. As sermons4kids.com puts it, "God doesn't give up on his lost sheep!" - Sheep Puppets
Create simple sheep puppets using white paper bags or socks. Add googly eyes, cotton balls for wool, and black paper for the face and legs. Use the puppets to retell the parable, with one puppet playing the lost sheep, another as the shepherd, and the rest as the ninety-nine sheep. This hands-on activity helps children internalize the story's message about God's seeking love. - Celebration Noisemakers
Make simple noisemakers by putting dried beans or rice into paper cups and sealing them with paper and tape. Decorate them with phrases like "Rejoice!" or "Heaven celebrates when I follow Jesus!" When everyone has made their noisemaker, have a "celebration parade" where children march around making joyful noise, just like the celebration when the lost sheep was found. - Shepherd's Care Package
Create care packages for people who might feel "lost" or forgotten - perhaps elderly neighbors, children in foster care, or homeless individuals. Include encouraging notes, small treats, and necessities. Discuss how we can show others God's seeking, caring love by reaching out to those who might feel lost or forgotten. - Good Shepherd Thank You Cards
Have children create thank you cards for the "shepherds" in their lives - people who have helped guide them, protected them, or brought them back when they were lost or confused (parents, teachers, pastors, etc.). Talk about how these people reflect God's shepherd heart by caring for others.
5 Trivia Quiz about The Parable of the Lost Sheep for kids
In which two gospels can we find the Parable of the Lost Sheep?
The Parable of the Lost Sheep appears in both Matthew (chapter 18:10-14) and Luke (chapter 15:3-7). The two versions have slightly different details and emphases, but tell the same basic story.
How many sheep did the shepherd have, and how many went missing?
The shepherd had one hundred sheep total, and just one sheep went missing. Even though 99% of his flock was safe, he still went searching for the 1% that was lost!
What did the shepherd do when he found his lost sheep?
When the shepherd found his lost sheep, he put it on his shoulders and carried it home. Then he called his friends and neighbors together for a celebration because he was so happy to have found it.
Why did Jesus tell this parable?
Jesus told this parable because the religious leaders were criticizing Him for spending time with "tax collectors and sinners." The story explains why Jesus cared about reaching those whom society rejected.
What happens in heaven when one sinner repents, according to the parable?
Jesus said there is "rejoicing in heaven" over one sinner who repents. This means God and all of heaven celebrate when someone who was spiritually lost turns back to God.
If you enjoyed learning about the Parable of the Lost Sheep, next time I'd love to tell you about the Parable of the Prodigal Son, which was told right after this story and continues the theme of God's amazing love for those who have wandered away!
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