Once again Jesus is surrounded by “sinners,” much to the chagrin of the local religious leaders who mutter about the impropriety of it all. The seeking love of Jesus winds its way to the edges of society and beckons one and all – even the cast-away characters – into relationship. There are words of comfort to sinners from the very first line of this parable. “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one.” All 100 sheep are precious – the lost one, too! The owner seeks it and delights to find and rescue it. You and I are safe in Christ, even when we wander like a lost sheep.


Jesus not only goes where He is invited, sometimes He invites Himself in. Indeed, He came to seek and save what was lost. If only it were one time that “I once was lost but now am found.” I’ve proven many times that I can still lose my way. But praise the Lord my salvation is secure! I am grateful that His sheep know the sound of His voice (John 10:27) and even more grateful that He knows the sound of one of His sheep in distress.