While most of us know the parable of the lost sheep opens up a trilogy of parables in Luke 15, it also shows up in the 18th chapter of Matthew. It is the one about the ninety-nine being safe and the shepherd going out to find the one. When we read either one of the two, it is almost possible to hear in the air George Beverly Shea singing, "There were ninety and nine that safely lay. In the shelter of the fold. But one was out on the hills away. Far off from the gates of gold. Away on the mountains, wild and bare. Away from the tender shepherd's care..."
Of course, a close look reveals that the two are significantly different. The parable Luke tells us is one that is about the finding of one sinner while the one Matthew is about children. In Matthew 18:14 we hear Jesus ending the parable with the words, "So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones be lost." These ending words tie the parable into the beginning of the 18th chapter where Jesus responds to the question, "Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?" pointing his listeners to a child among them.
There are many surprises in the Kingdom of Heaven. No one would have ever picked a child as the answer to the question. Those present that day would have pointed to some scribe, or priest, or, perhaps, even political leader with wealth, power, and status. They likely would have responded in the manner we would respond. It is not always easy for us to realize that this Kingdom about which Jesus spoke is for everyone. It is for the least of all of us. It is for those do not count according to the definition of our culture. While Jesus died on the cross for all of us, it is also true that He died for each single one of us. It matters not if we are sinner or insignificant.
Of course, a close look reveals that the two are significantly different. The parable Luke tells us is one that is about the finding of one sinner while the one Matthew is about children. In Matthew 18:14 we hear Jesus ending the parable with the words, "So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones be lost." These ending words tie the parable into the beginning of the 18th chapter where Jesus responds to the question, "Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?" pointing his listeners to a child among them.
There are many surprises in the Kingdom of Heaven. No one would have ever picked a child as the answer to the question. Those present that day would have pointed to some scribe, or priest, or, perhaps, even political leader with wealth, power, and status. They likely would have responded in the manner we would respond. It is not always easy for us to realize that this Kingdom about which Jesus spoke is for everyone. It is for the least of all of us. It is for those do not count according to the definition of our culture. While Jesus died on the cross for all of us, it is also true that He died for each single one of us. It matters not if we are sinner or insignificant.
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