We Are All Lost Sheep: Coming Home and then Seeking the Lost

In the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 15, Jesus is talking with a group of “publicans (tax collectors) and sinners” when he is approached by a group of Pharisees.  The group of people question him, essentially asking him why he chose to spend his time with those that they deemed “sinners”. who ask him why he eats and spends time with publicans and sinners.   As a result of this question, Jesus gives the exquisite parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son.  

One thing that continued to strike me is the devotion and time that those that are seeking give to reclaim those that have been lost.  The shepherd “leave[s] the ninety and nine and goes into the wilderness”, leaving behind comforts to find the sheep who had wandered off.  The widow who loses a piece of silver (a day’s wage) searches all over her house until she finds it, and then she rejoices when she discovers it.  Finally, the father doesn’t go to find his son, because he knows that his son won’t come home if he goes to get him, but he is constantly watching and waiting.  When the son finally “came to himself” (vs 17), the father “saw him afar off, and ran to him, and embraced him, and kissed him” (vs. 20).  

These parables help me to better understand the love of the Savior for us whenever we become lost.  Whether we have strayed from the principles we know are right by accident, whether we have been neglected or offended by others and have lost hope, or whether we have willfully chosen to rebel against what we know is right, the Savior is always there, waiting for us to come home.  He is watching for us and will do all that we will let him to help us to return to his presence, live like him, and to feel of his love.  He is absolutely focused on our well-being.

In addition, I feel that these parables can help motivate us to have greater compassion for those who aren’t active in their faith or who aren’t living the way we think they should and to do all that we can to help them.  It is easy for us to judge others or to criticize or avoid those who don’t share our beliefs or standards.  It is also easy to forget or to neglect those who have gone astray, who aren’t attending church every week, or who may be struggling.  However, we are all in some way lost, and we all need the good shepherd.  Knowing this can motivate us to love others more, to be better friends, better home and visiting teachers, better missionaries, and better disciples of Christ; to go out of our way to love and help others as the Father and our Good Shepherd have loved us.