Matthew 18:10,12-14 NIV
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. [12] “What do you think? 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? [13] And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. [14] In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
Before Sunday I’d never really linked the parable with the verse preceding it – remember by ‘little ones’ Jesus isn’t talking about children, but those who are humbly trying to follow him, seeing themselves as unimportant rather than striving for greatness. Who then is the shepherd seeking? Who does the sheep represent? Not a non-Christian as often portrayed, but a believer who has wandered away from Jesus. Jesus is challenging us not to be quick to condemn each other if we mess up or sin, instead to be quick to show grace and try and restore our brother or sister.
Father, it is speak about not being judgemental and being gracious, but it isn’t all that easy. Help us!
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