Have you ever considered a shepherd who abandons ninety-nine sheep, leaving them vulnerable to wolves, in pursuit of one that is lost? Why endanger so many for the sake of one? At first glance, it seems illogical, but a deeper understanding reveals otherwise. Jesus was not merely sharing a pleasant tale; He was unveiling a harmful mindset that continues to plague Christians today. Some interpret this parable to justify their arrogance rather than grasp its true meaning, which conveys the opposite. The narrative is presented in four parts to assist the reader, who may feel numb and perplexed by this exposition.
Part 1: The Parable That Confuses People
In Luke 15:1-7, Jesus tells this story after the religious leaders (Pharisees) complain that He’s spending time with “sinners.” They think they’re already holy enough and look down on others. They assume that they are in the fold and do not need repentance, unlike those considered to be the degraded sinners. In His teaching, Jesus flips the script:
- The Lost Sheep = The sinner who knows they’re broken and needs God, attracting God’s mercy, thereby assured of receiving salvation.
- The Ninety-Nine = The considered “good religious people” comfortably assuming they don’t need repentance, as meticulously keeping the requirements of the Law.
The shocking aspect is that the shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to find the one in appalling conditions. Why? The ninety-nine believe they are safe, but their pride is actually more dangerous than the lost sheep’s sinfulness. Therefore, the shepherd did not hesitate to leave them at the mercy of the ravenous wolves. Jesus used the same parable when addressing those who took comfort in being His disciples rather than maintaining humility.
In Luke 15:1-7, Jesus addressed the Pharisees and scribes, who were religious but not His disciples. The Pharisees were not considered part of His fold. The confusion regarding this parable springs up in Matthew 18:10-14, where Jesus speaks to the disciples. It should be clearly understood that the significance of the parable was intended to warn the complacent, akin to the message directed at the Pharisees and scribes. The shepherd illustrates the preference of rescuing the lost sinner over the ninety-nine, mistakenly viewed as safe.
Part 2: The Trap of “I’m Already Good Enough”
The Pharisees believed they were righteous because they followed religious rules. But Jesus told one of their leaders, Nicodemus:
“Unless someone is born again, they cannot see God’s Kingdom” (John 3:3)
Nevertheless, the same erroneous assumption befell the disciples, whose problem manifested in their disputes regarding seniority. They exhibited a complacent attitude similar to that of the Pharisees and Scribes. They did not comprehend the significance of Christianity, just as most people today remain oblivious to what Christianity truly implies, which intrinsically means:
- No one is inherently righteous before God—not even churchgoers. If there were even one person worthy of being considered good, Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross would have been unnecessary. This truth is unknown to many.
- Self-righteousness, the belief that “I am better than those sinners,” is a greater problem than the sins of the “lost.” The more aware a person is of their need for salvation, the better off they would be. The worst sinner is the one who assumes they are good in God’s eyes. This is the greatest irony of Christianity.
The ninety-nine sheep were not truly safe—they were even in more danger because they did not realize they needed the Shepherd just as much as the lost one. Jesus uses the parable to convey this reality to those with ears. The aspect of hearing but not understanding was designed that way for ordinary people. This was the main reason for Him teaching in parables. His use of parables to project this truth reflects the core essence that led to His coming and Christianity.
.Part 3: A Warning to Christians Today
The same parable becomes more terrifying when directed at His disciples (Matthew 18:10-14). The amplification of this impact is confirmed in the following sentiment:
“If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for them to have a millstone hung around their neck and be drowned in the sea” (Matthew 18:6)
Why such an extreme warning? Because:
- Leading believers astray is worse than being a “lost sinner.”
- A sinner can still repent.
- But someone who corrupts others (like false teachers) is like a poison spreading in the church. Nothing can be considered more dangerous than assuming the sole responsibility of Jesus, yet existing in the flesh, which embodies sinfulness.
- It’s the “unforgivable sin.”
- Jesus stated that all sins can be forgiven except for the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:31-32). Rejecting God’s truth while claiming to represent Him can be perilously aligned with the devil, as it also leads to destruction (Hebrews 10:26-27).
The Scribes and Pharisees, although viewed negatively in Jesus’ time, cannot be in a worse condition than the wayward disciples. Hence, Jesus protected the Pharisees by teaching in parables. This is where the image of a millstone around someone’s neck becomes relevant.
Imagine how impossible it would be for a person with a millstone hung around their neck to avoid sinking. The severity of causing one who has attained the status of being God’s child to stumble is considered incomparable to any other sin. The person led astray is irretrievable. Thus, the folly of misleading others while presuming to be more knowledgeable is extremely perilous.
Part 4: How This Applies to Us
- No One can ever reach the stage of being “Too Good” to need Jesus.
- If you think, “I go to church, I tithe, I’m a good person—I don’t need to change,” you might be one of the “ninety-nine.” But more so, you could be the candidate of someone poised to have a millstone on your neck when assuming leadership over others.
- Humility is the key—always recognizing our need for God. Accepting the condition of Christianity implies understanding that there cannot be anything more humiliating than the commitment to Christianity.
- Beware of False Leaders
- Jesus warned about “wolves in sheep’s clothing” (Matthew 7:15). Another way of spotting such people would be by their assumption of authority in Christianity.
- A true spiritual leader points people to Christ, not to themselves.
- Forgiveness Over Judgment
- Jesus taught that we must forgive “seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22) because we all fail. The principle of forgiving others always and being willing to change when proven wrong helps in keeping focused.
- The only damning sin is pride—refusing to recognize that we all need grace, without exception. Understanding Godly principle does not make anyone greater, but requires sacrificing for those still in darkness.
Final Thought: The Real Message of the Lost Sheep
The parable isn’t really about the one sheep—it’s about the ninety-nine who think they’re fine. Jesus is saying:
“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:31-32)
So the question those reading this should be: Are you humble enough to admit you still need the Shepherd? Or do you think you’re already one of the “safe” ninety-nine?
Why This Matters Today
- Complacency led to the downfall of the Roman Empire, as they assumed superiority over the Barbarians, only to be defeated by them. Many churches today focus on appearances, such as large congregations, wealth, and strict rules, but neglect the essence of Jesus’ teachings. This keeps them ensconced in the ninety-nine bracket.
- True Christianity is not about outward holiness but recognizing our brokenness and relying on God’s mercy daily. When allowed to serve, we should do so selflessly, without expecting any reward from those of this world.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilization, which lays down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, bringing relief to those who have witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions that led to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book as a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
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