The Parable of the Lost Sheep

nd he spake this parable unto them, saying, what man of Yov having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them., doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost until he find it? nd tchen he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, rejoice with me, for 1 have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewisejoy shall be in heaven, over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons which need no repentance. — Luke xv: 3 — 7.

Our Saviour taught much in parables. Some of his parables apyear to be true histories. Others are merely supposed cases, intended to illustrate important truth. This mode of instruction possesses many advantages. It is simple, clear, striking and forcible. It always arrests the attention, and serves to fix divine truth in the memory. Whether the parable be fiction, or matter of fact, is not material. A true history may illustrate some irhportant doctrine. A supposition may do the same.

The parable which I have just read to you, was spoken on the following occasion. Many were flocking around the Saviour. ‘’ Then drew near unto him, all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.” His audience was composed of persons of very different views and feelings. Some were doubtless in tears, desiring to know what they should do to be saved.

They came not to gaze; but they “drew near to hear him” Others, it appears from the sequel of his discourse, had returned home like the prodigal son, and were now rejoicing in hope. Others, it seems, were present with feelings entirely different. They were proud, self-righteous and scornful. These were present for no better purpose than to look on, make observations, and find fault. “And the scribes and pharisees murmured.” To see sinners flocking around the Saviour, all attention — some weeping, and some rejoicing, made them angry. They murmured saying, “This man receivcth sinners, and eateth with them.” Such was the Saviour’s audience. The subject was suited to the occasion. It affords encouragement to penitents; and at the same time, administers pointed reproof to those who stand murmuring.

The parable was spoken in answer to the charge which the scribes and pharisees brought against him; “This man receiveth sinners and eateth with them.” Our Saviour did not deny, but fully admitted the charge. He did not attempt to show that the sinners assembled around him, were less guilty than they supposed themselves to be. He admitted that they were lost, and hell-deserving; and this his anxious hearers knew and felt to be true. Nor was our Saviour ashamed to acknowledge, that he made it his great business to seek and to save just such sinners. “This man receivcth sinners, and eateth with them.” Very true. You pursue your businesss and I pursue mine. “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?” So I profess, soys the Saviour, to be the great shepherd and bishop of souls. These have all gone astray. They are lost and have no disposition to return. My errand on earth is “to seek and to save that which was lost.” What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if one be missing, would not range the fields and mountains, and call, and seek diligently until he had found it? So I have descended from heaven to earth, on this great errand, ^’ to gather together in one, the children of God which are scattered abroad. ‘’My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me.” (Doubtless some of them were then standing round him, listening to hear his voice.) And now, ye murmurers, what would be your conduct on finding that which was lostl You would publish your success to all around, saying, ‘’ Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.” ‘’ I say unto you that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons who need no repentance.”

Here it may be asked, whom did Christ intend by just persons who need no repentance 1 Some have supposed that he meant self-righteous persons. It is indeed true that there is more joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth than over ninety and nine self-righteous persons. But it does not appear that such were intended. 1. Because they are called just persons. The Vv’ord just never means self-righteous. 2. Because it is not true, that self-righteous persons need no repentance. They do need repentance. AW men need repentance, and they must repent or perish. Should it be said, that Christ did not mean that they actually needed no repentance, but only that they felt no need of repentance; like those whom he describes when he says, “They that are whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” I reply, the interpretation given to this text, is liable to the same objection. It is not true that Christ came not to call self-righteous persons to repentance. He did come to call such, and no others. For all are by nature, proud, stubborn and self-righteous. Such was Paul before his conversion. And thousands of such, have, like him, been brought to see their sinfulness, and to bow at the foot of the cross. And 3. There is no joy in heaven over self-righteous persons. Christ is speaking of the great joy there is in heaven over one true penitent. If the comparison is with the self-righteous, it might be expressed thus. There is joy in heaven over one sinner that repentclh. How much? More than over ninety and nine over whom there is no joy. Such certainly could not have been our Saviour’s meaning. Self-righteous persons, therefore, were not intended in the text. It is true the parable was addressed to such. The scribes and pharisees trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others. Our Saviour did not undertake to show them directly that they were guilty, ruined, and lost sinners, and that they must be brought to see this to be their condition, or they could not be saved. His direct object was to convict them of the unreasonableness of their conduct in murmuring at the repentance of others. He takes them on their own ground. Admit that you are righteous, and that these are great sinners. Why murmur at their repentance? Vile as they are, they have souls of infinite value. One soul that is lost, must suffer more pain than all that has ever yet been endured by the whole race of Adam. The past sufferings of all the damned in hell, are not to be compared with the miseries of one soul through the boundless ages of eternity. Is not, then, the salvation of one such soul of infinite importance ‘? Is it not matter of joy on earth to witness one such sinner brought to repentance? Must not such an event touch the heart of every pious man? What heart must that be, which can rejoice at finding a lost sheep, or a piece of silver, but cannot rejoice at the repentance and salvation of a lost sinner? If friends and neighbors assemble and rejoice together, on an occurrence so trifling, how must the friends of the Redeemer rejoice at the repentance of one sinner 1 On such an occasion, how would the news fly? What conversation — what joy and animation would be witnessed all around? Surely thus it would be with all benevolent beings. If there were any just persons on earth, who had never sinned, and who needed no repentance, they would be the very first to assemble and rejoice together on such an occasion. It is true, there are no such persons on earth. Strictly speaking, “there is none righteous, no, not one.” But if there were ninety and nine just persons, who had never committed a single sin; who were never lost, and who needed no repentance, what a group! — what a

lovely sight! — such as earth never beheld — And yet, the repentance and salvation of one sinner, is matter of more joy to all holy beings, than the happy condition of the whole ninety and nine who had never been lost. Strange as it may seem to sinners on earth, yet our Saviour declares that this is true in heaven. Whenever Christ finds a lost sinner on earth, and he is brought to true repentance, the holy inhabitants of heaven rejoice together on the occasion. And their joy is greater than over ninety and nine of those holy beings who have never fallen. The subject suggests the following reflections.

1. Sinners are lost. If they were not lost, Christ would not have come to seek and save them. ^’For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” And since lie has come from heaven to earth, and shed his precious blood to save them, they ^’ will not come to him that they might have life.” They are out of his fold, having no part or lot in his kingdom.” He that belie veth on the Son, hath everlasting life — and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God ahideth on him.^^ They lie in the open field, exposed to the storm of divine wrath, which is coming upon the world of the ungodly. They are wandering farther and farther from God, and every moment liable to fall into the pit of destruction. They are lost, and yet totally insensible of their condition.

2. Christ knows his own sheep before they are brought into his fold. The good shepherd knows just the number that are missing. If one of them be gone astray, he knows it. Indeed, he would not go after it, did he not know it v. as gone, and would not, of itself, return. He says, ‘’ Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also, I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. He knows who they are, and what are their names. “He calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.” He knows how far they have wandered in the paths of sin and folly. His eye is ever upon them, and follows them in all their wanderings. Js there one more lost sinner in this place to be saved 1 Where is he 1 What is his name? Christ knows. Yes — “The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are his.”

3. Christ finds the sinner. He finds him in his sins — careless about his soul — casting off fear and restraining prayer — wandering farther and farther from God, from happiness and from heaven. He often comes upon him by surprise in the midst of his wickedness, and awakens him to a sense of his guilt. He trembles and is alarmed; but he is unwilling to return, and would fain flee out of the Saviour’s hand. No sinner will ever awaken himself. Left to himself, not another sinner in this house will ever begin in earnest to seek the salvation of his soul. ‘’The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God.” “There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.” Every Christian knows this to be true in relation to himself. He knows that after he was awakened, that if the Spirit of God had left him, he should have returned to his sinful courses. All who have found the Saviour, will acknowledge that the Saviour first found them.” Since we have known God, or rather are known of God ^’^ is the language which they are ready to adopt.

This parable may serve to correct a very common mistake among sinners; — and I may add, among some professors of religion. They often think they are seeking Christ, and wonder why they fail of success, when they are actuated only by the fear of hell. They think they are following hard after Christ, and that he is departing from them. They flatter themselves, that if they hold on their way, they shall soon overtake him. They take it for granted that they are ready and willing; and they are now laboring hard to make Christ willing. But the very reverse is true, as we are taught in this parable. Sinners are departing from Christ, and in order to find him, they must not hold on Iheir way, but stop, and turn. They are all as sheep going astray, and the great shepherd and bishop of souls, is calling upon them to return; saying, “turn ye, turn ye, for why will ye die.” When he finds them, he finds them wandering farther and farther from him. And when they hear his voice it is behind them, “saying, this is the way, walk ye in it.”

4. How great must be the joy occasioned by the repentance of one sinner. It is contrasted with that over just and holy beings who need no repentance. Joy so great was never occasioned by any other created l)eing, as that occasioned by a repenting and returning sinner. Joy so great, was never occasioned b)’^ an angel of light. Gabriel who stands in the presence of God, never occasioned so much joy in heaven. We may number ninety and nine holy angels, and then say. “There is joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over these ninety and nine just persons.” The creation of the world was a joyful event, when ‘’ the morning stars sahg together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.” But this is not to be compared with the joy over one sinner that repenteth. The eaith itself was created to subserve God’s purpose of saving sinners — as a stage on which to display the wonders of redeeming love to an admiring universe. — ^’To the intent that now unto principalities and powers in heavenly places, might be known by the church, the manifold wisdom of God.” If it be asked, why did the Son of God become incarnate ‘? In the repentance of a lost sinner, you have the answer. “He came to seek, and to save that which was lost.” “He came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Why did the angels announce to the shepherds the news of his birth, and sing “glory to God in the highest?” In the repentance of a lost sinner, you have the answer.

Nor is this joy confined to angels. The Lord himself rejoices. Why did the Son of God leave the bosom of his Father, — condescend to be born in a manger — and to suffer and die on the cross? In the repentance of a lost sinner, you see the glorious object which he had in view, accomplished. For this he bled, and died. Here he sees of the travail of his soul, and is satisfied. This is the fruit of his toil, his shame, his sufferings, and his death. “Who for the joy that was set before hmi, endured the cross, despising the shame.” Every Christian, in his turn, has occasioned this joy in heaven.

5. The repentance of every sinner, when first discovered, is the cause of new joy. The joy of angels is most sensibly felt every time one more is added to the company of the redeemed. The ninety and nine already redeemed, seem to be forgotten, when with wonder and joy, they behold their new companion with whom they expect to dwell forever. Could we know, as well as angels do, the reality of a sinner’s repentance, we should know better how to rejoice. The tidings of his repentance, must be received by Christians on earth, with mingled emotions. They “rejoice with trembling.” While they delight in each other, the news that a soul is converted to God, excites in them peculiar joy. For a time, they seem to forget themselves and each other. They cannot forbear to assemble, and rejoice together on the occasion. And well they may, for Christ himself rejoices; and he says unto his disciples ‘’rejoice vrith me, for I have found ray sheep which was lost.”

6. What must have been the hearts of the scribes and pharisees who stood murmuring, while converted publicans and sinners drew near to Christ, to hear the gracious words which proceeded oulf of his mouth. While angels in heaven were rejoicing over these sinners, there they stood murmuring. What a contrast! Angels, and the Saviour himself, and all holy beings weie rejoicing over the repentance of these sinners, but they stood murmuring and finding fault, and saying, “This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.” How must their conduct have appeared to angels, and to God!

My hearers, had you lieen present on this occasion, what part would you have acted? Would you have rejoiced at the sight of sinners flocking to the Saviour, and weeping for their sins? Or would you have joined wntli those that murmur(pd? Bring the subject home to your hearts. How would you like to see sinners flocking to Christ in this place? Are your hearts prepared to welcome a scene like this? Scenes similar to this, may now be in the recollection of many present. At least, you must have heard of the conviction and conversion of sinners — some of them perhaps of your own acquaintance. And how did the news aflect your hearts? Did you hear the news with angelic joy, or with sullen sadness? I would put the question to the consciences of all my hearers. How does the subject of the conviction and conversion of sinners affect your hearts? It is a subject in which God, and Christ, and the Holy Spirit, and saints and angels, are all interested. All heaven is moved at the repentance of one sinner. And my hearers, if your hearts are not deeply interested in this subject, it is because you have no claims to the Christian character. Beware of deceiving yourselves in a matter of such infinite moment. If you cannot rejoice in the repentance of sinners, you have none of the spirit of Christ. If you cannot rejoice at the repentance of other sinners, you have never yet repented of your own sins. Your hearts are not right in the sight of God. For those who die with such hearts, there is no happiness, and no heaven hereafter. If such tidings vex the heart, and grate on the ear now, and if you would fain fly from such a scene, whither can you go at the solemn hour of exchanging worlds? Can you enter heaven, and be happy there 1 Heaven is filled with this joyful theme. There the tidings of the conversion of every penitent on earth will be told. And every saint, and every angel that sings in glory, will proclaim it in loud hozannas around the throne of God and the Lamb. There too, the story of your own repentance must be told, ere you leave this world, or you can never join the company of angels and the spirits of just men made perfect.

To all my impenitent hearers in this assembly, let me say — You have seen what a lively interest angels take in the repentance of o/7e sinner. Will there ever be joy in heaven over yoiu repentance? Wherever the gospel is preached with the Holy Ghost sent clown from heaven, there angels are hovering round to witness the effects. ‘’ Which things the angels desire to look into.” Yes, angels attend on our worshipping assemblies, to witness the effect of a preached gospel.

“Invisible to mortal eyes they go,

And mark our conduct, good or bad, below.”

Sinners, these heavenly messengers are now waiting to carry back the tidings of your repentance, to the courts above. And shall they stoop, and gaze, and wait in vain 1 Have you no tears to shed for your sins’?

“0 ye angels hovering round us,

Waiting spirits, speed your way.
Hasten to the court of heaven,

Tidings bear without delay;
Rebel sinners

Glad the message will obey.”