Faith

What Kind Of A God Leaves 99 To Go After 1?

When we read the parable of the lost sheep, some persons think it is a commendable thing to care so much about a “one”. Some think it is offensive to leave the 99 for 1 which is only 1% of the lot.

Whichever you are,  you can better judge the situation when you put yourself in the shoes of each part involved.

Hence,  this article will require your imaginative mind. Relax, cause it’s going to be a dreamy read.

“Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, and when you got home call in your friends and neighbours, saying, ‘Celebrate with me! I’ve found my lost sheep!’ Count on it—there’s more joy in heaven over one sinner’s rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue. – ‭Luke‬ ‭15:4-7‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Phase one: Ownership

Imagine that thing that is special to you: your wig collection, video game,  anything.

Now,  imagine losing one of it,  what will you do?

You most likely will search for it,  even though you have the rest of the collection.

Imagine again, that you are a parent with ten children. What will you do if one goes missing?  Mentally replace the one with the nine? Take the nine out to search for the one? Or leave the nine in assured safety while you go out to search desperately?

For me, ‘my special’ is the notepads I make.  Denim-themed beauties: each of which I spend an average of 7-15 hours making. You can imagine how much intentionality and energy goes into each. After making a collection, I elegantly lay them on my worktop, where nothing will damage any: where also they can be clearly beheld by myself and EVERYONE who visits; I’m so proud of them. Each one is a precious masterpiece that I had a unique experience making.

If I lose one of these,  it is a no-brainer that I will ransack places to find it, knowing the rest is safe, seating pretty on my worktop display.

This is how the parable of the lost sheep plays out. The shepherd went out for the sheep in need of rescue because the 99 were safe.

If you lose something precious, it is a no-brainer that you will ransack places to find it. This is how the parable of the lost sheep plays out. The shepherd went out for the sheep in need of rescue because the 99 were safe. Click To Tweet

Like you will rejoice over finding a precious item that was lost, heaven celebrates over the return of one lost soul simply because the soul was lost

Phase Two: Lost

Imagine you are lost. No one knows where you are and no one is able to contact you. You feel the emptiness,  the grief and loneliness, you want to be found. And found by someone who cares.

The lost sheep could be any of the 100. “One” could be the 1st, 30th or the 100th,  anyone can be lost. In fact, we were all once lost.

The lost sheep could be any of the 100. 'One' could be the 1st, 30th or the 100th, anyone can be lost. In fact, we were all once lost. Click To Tweet

The shepherd going out to find the one shows how much he cares for each. It is not favouritism but love. The lost could be any one of the hundred and he will go irrespective of who that one is.

The shepherd going out to find the one shows how much he cares for each. It is not favouritism but love. The lost could be anyone of the hundred and he will go irrespective of who that one is. Click To Tweet

How heartwarming to know how much God loves us,  even when we wander away.

Phase Three: Left

Have you ever lost a sibling?  Have you been left at a place while your guardian went in search of the sibling? Or cried over the loss?  Did you feel unloved? Or were you concerned for your missing sibling?

If you haven’t experienced this, imagine being left by your guardian who went in search for your missing compeer? Will you feel abandoned? Or will you feel concerned for your missing associate?

Do you think a person who cares about each member of the group, enough to search for a missing one will leave the rest uncared for?

Do you think a person who cares about each member of the group, enough to search for a missing one will leave the rest uncared for? Click To Tweet

Remember my notepads, I mentioned that each is a precious masterpiece. My joy over finding a lost one at the moment I do, does not mean I do not find pleasure and pride in the rest.

In fact,  the rest remain kept in the prestigious and safe place that I allocated to my creation. The shepherd didn’t leave the sheep abandoned,  he left them kept in a territory he knew.

A Pastor puts it this way, The good Shepherd went in search of the lost one while the ninety-nine cheered him on.

The Good Shepherd went in search of the lost one while the ninety-nine cheered him on. Click To Tweet

As God’s sheep,  we remain in Christ as he, the father, pursues the lost. In Christ, we have an inheritance that those outside don’t have access to yet. If we are aware of who we are and what we have in Him: what those outside are missing (though Christ died for them too), we will join our father in reconciling our lost associates to the family.

Written by Bolatito Laniyan

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