The 99 & the 1

Luke 15:1–7 NKJV

1 Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” 3 So He spoke this parable to them, saying: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ 7 I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.

Jesus shared this parable, a story with a deeper meaning, as a heart-check for the religious leaders’ thoughts & attitudes towards those who were far from holiness.

The religious leaders wanted them to go away.

Jesus wanted to draw them in & give them the abundant life (John 10:10).

What if You are the 1:

What an amazing thing to know that Jesus & shepherds after His heart are coming to find you!

No matter where you’ve been or how dirty or damaged you’ve become in your journey, Jesus wants to bring & celebrate you home.

Matthew 9:10–13 NKJV

10 Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Don’t desire to always be the 1% who needs 100% of the focus and attention

-When a part of our body is injured, we must give it attention, but that doesn’t mean that the rest of the body ceases to be important. In fact, the rest of the body running-well releases us to heal and restore the other part.

As we grow in maturity and closeness with God, we can feel like He isn’t giving us the same amount of attention He did when He was coming after us - we just don’t need it.

Can you imagine if every time you eat that your mom looked at you the way that mom’s look at their babies when they are nursing them? Creepy.

1 Corinthians 13:11 NKJV

11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

What a blessing to be able to give out love & help when we have been given to.

Luke 7:46–47 NKJV

46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. 47 Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”

Giving promotes life and blessing.

What if you are one of the 99?

John 10:11 NKJV

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

Should the 99 feel ignored and insignificant, or should they feel safe secure loved and rest in the provision of the shepherd & His wisdom that they are safe enough for Him to leave?

The Good shepherd wouldn’t risk his 99 sheep - He is able to keep them safe too.

2 Timothy 1:12 NKJV

12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

-What if instead of making Jesus seek you, you seek Him with all your heart

Hebrews 11:6 NKJV

6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.