Matthew 18:12 6/11/2019*

 “… 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?”

What do you think of when you read this parable?

Jesus is talking about how valuable each of us are no matter how far we have drifted from Him. How much He loves each one of us individually.

Have you, like me, read this verse and been amazed at the drug users, thieves, and prostitutes that Christ has joyfully carried back from their wanderings?

If so, then like me, you missed it.  

How can I say this nicely?... YOU are that lost sheep. You and I are the ones He had to go find.

He didn’t say the sheep ran away…He said it wandered off. Maybe It wandered off because it thought it was safe. It thought it didn’t need the Shepherd like those really bad sheep do.

Like the Pharisee that prayed “thank you, God, that I am not like other people.” (Luke 18:8) I have been guilty of being impressed at how much God can love other sinners…when I should be astounded that He can love me.

How subtle is the temptation to think of others when I read this passage?

Pride and self-righteousness are deadly, and they flourish when I have the wrong view of myself. This verse makes it crystal clear that I have a problem with my opinion of me…. my default position is that I have always been better than most … that is a fatal flaw.

If you struggle in this area realize that God knows you…the real you, and He came to find you anyway.  Take a long look in the mirror and humbly thank God for covering the sin in your life and for constantly tracking you down when you wander from the herd. Stand amazed that His love makes you clean.

If you keep the right perspective of who you are…you will see others through the eyes of Christ and be eager to find sheep who have wandered off…. and as one that has been lost yourself…you can help lead them back to safety.

“Beware of no man more than of yourself; we carry our worst enemies within us.”
- Charles Spurgeon