During His earthly ministry, Jesus began by teaching the people of Israel openly and directly. He proclaimed the nearness of the Kingdom of Heaven and called the nation to repentance, offering Himself as their long-awaited Messiah. But as time went on, resistance to His message grew. The turning point came when Israel’s religious leaders accused Him of performing miracles by the power of Satan. In response to this rejection, Jesus changed His approach. He began to speak to the crowds in parables, teaching in ways that concealed truth from those who refused to believe, while revealing deeper insights to His true disciples.
This shift fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which foretold that the people would hear but not understand and see but not perceive, because of the hardness of their hearts. From a dispensational perspective, the parables of Jesus were directed to Israel during this unique period—after the King had been rejected but before His death and resurrection. These parables were not designed to establish doctrine for the Church, which would not be revealed until later. Instead, they disclosed the mysteries of the Kingdom in its hidden, interim phase, the time of the King’s rejection and absence.
Importantly, these parables will take on renewed relevance during the coming Tribulation period. After the Church is raptured, the 144,000 Jewish evangelists, the Two Witnesses, and the angel who proclaims the eternal gospel will again draw from these parables to call both Israel and the nations to repentance. The teachings that once veiled truth from the hardened will, in that day, shine brightly as a call to faith and preparation for Christ’s return to establish His Kingdom.
Words: 1277 / Time to read: 7 minutes
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
Jesus said, “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? 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. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish” (Matthew 18:12–14).
This parable is one of the most familiar and beloved of Jesus’ teachings. Though it appears in both Matthew and Luke, each Gospel places it in a different setting, drawing out different aspects of its meaning. In Luke’s account, the parable is given in response to criticism from the Pharisees, who disapproved of Jesus’ willingness to associate with sinners. There, the parable emphasizes God’s joy over the repentance of a lost sinner. But in Matthew’s account, Jesus tells this parable to His disciples, focusing not on the initial salvation of the lost, but on God’s care for those who already belong to Him, especially the humble and vulnerable.
The imagery of the shepherd and his sheep would have been deeply meaningful to Jesus’ listeners, evoking familiar passages like Psalm 23, which begins, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” It also echoes Ezekiel’s prophecy of God as the Shepherd who seeks out His scattered flock and brings them home. Jesus describes a shepherd who owns a flock of one hundred sheep—a complete and thriving flock—but when one strays, he does not abandon it to its fate. Instead, he leaves the ninety-nine and goes in search of the one that is lost. This image captures God’s active, personal concern for each of His people. The lost sheep in this parable is not an unbeliever in need of salvation, but a member of the flock who has gone astray and is in danger.
The joy of the shepherd upon finding the lost sheep is profound. It is not that the ninety-nine are unimportant, but the recovery of the one who was in peril brings particular gladness. Jesus draws His disciples to see that this is how their heavenly Father regards the weakest and most vulnerable among them. He is not willing that even one of His little ones should perish. This is a message of assurance to those who follow Him in humility and faith, a promise that God will not abandon them even when they falter.
From a dispensational perspective, this parable reflects God’s ongoing faithfulness to the believing remnant of Israel. Throughout the nation’s history, God has always preserved a remnant, even when the majority turned away. The parable speaks to God’s care for this faithful remnant, assuring that none who truly belong to Him will be lost. It also points forward to the future, when during the Tribulation God will seek out and preserve His people, regathering the faithful remnant in preparation for Christ’s return.
The parable’s emphasis on God’s preservation of His own finds echoes in the New Testament epistles. Jesus describes Himself as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep, promising that none who belong to Him will be snatched from His hand. Paul affirms that God, who began a good work in His people, will bring it to completion. The pursuit of the straying sheep reflects this divine commitment to restore and protect those who are His.
The cultural context of the parable deepens its meaning. Sheep are creatures that easily wander and lose their way. A single sheep was valuable to a shepherd, representing not just livelihood but responsibility and care. A shepherd’s search for a lost sheep was no casual effort; it might involve long hours in difficult terrain and real danger. This is the kind of determined, sacrificial care that Jesus portrays as reflecting the heart of God.
The parable also reminds believers of their calling to reflect God’s shepherding heart. Just as God seeks out the wandering, so too are His people called to gently restore those who stray. Paul’s instructions to bear one another’s burdens and James’ reminder that turning back a sinner from the error of their ways brings life both resonate with this message.
In the end, the Parable of the Lost Sheep offers both comfort and challenge. It reassures the faithful that God’s care is personal and unfailing. No one who truly belongs to Him will ultimately be lost, for He actively preserves and restores His own. And it calls all who hear it to mirror that care, seeking out and supporting those who struggle or falter in their walk with the Lord.
Want to Go Deeper?
This post is adapted from my book, The Parables of Jesus: Covert Communication from the King (Grace and Knowledge Series, Book 7). It offers clear, verse-by-verse explanations of every parable using a faithful dispensational lens.
Read the full book on Amazon →
(Includes all parables in Gospel order, Old Testament parallels, and detailed Kingdom commentary.)
All Scripture quoted from:
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Related
The Parable of the Lost Sheep – Matthew 18:12–14
Published by Brother Woody BrohmDuring His earthly ministry, Jesus began by teaching the people of Israel openly and directly. He proclaimed the nearness of the Kingdom of Heaven and called the nation to repentance, offering Himself as their long-awaited Messiah. But as time went on, resistance to His message grew. The turning point came when Israel’s religious leaders accused Him of performing miracles by the power of Satan. In response to this rejection, Jesus changed His approach. He began to speak to the crowds in parables, teaching in ways that concealed truth from those who refused to believe, while revealing deeper insights to His true disciples.
This shift fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which foretold that the people would hear but not understand and see but not perceive, because of the hardness of their hearts. From a dispensational perspective, the parables of Jesus were directed to Israel during this unique period—after the King had been rejected but before His death and resurrection. These parables were not designed to establish doctrine for the Church, which would not be revealed until later. Instead, they disclosed the mysteries of the Kingdom in its hidden, interim phase, the time of the King’s rejection and absence.
Importantly, these parables will take on renewed relevance during the coming Tribulation period. After the Church is raptured, the 144,000 Jewish evangelists, the Two Witnesses, and the angel who proclaims the eternal gospel will again draw from these parables to call both Israel and the nations to repentance. The teachings that once veiled truth from the hardened will, in that day, shine brightly as a call to faith and preparation for Christ’s return to establish His Kingdom.
Words: 1277 / Time to read: 7 minutes
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
Jesus said, “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? 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. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish” (Matthew 18:12–14).
This parable is one of the most familiar and beloved of Jesus’ teachings. Though it appears in both Matthew and Luke, each Gospel places it in a different setting, drawing out different aspects of its meaning. In Luke’s account, the parable is given in response to criticism from the Pharisees, who disapproved of Jesus’ willingness to associate with sinners. There, the parable emphasizes God’s joy over the repentance of a lost sinner. But in Matthew’s account, Jesus tells this parable to His disciples, focusing not on the initial salvation of the lost, but on God’s care for those who already belong to Him, especially the humble and vulnerable.
The imagery of the shepherd and his sheep would have been deeply meaningful to Jesus’ listeners, evoking familiar passages like Psalm 23, which begins, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” It also echoes Ezekiel’s prophecy of God as the Shepherd who seeks out His scattered flock and brings them home. Jesus describes a shepherd who owns a flock of one hundred sheep—a complete and thriving flock—but when one strays, he does not abandon it to its fate. Instead, he leaves the ninety-nine and goes in search of the one that is lost. This image captures God’s active, personal concern for each of His people. The lost sheep in this parable is not an unbeliever in need of salvation, but a member of the flock who has gone astray and is in danger.
The joy of the shepherd upon finding the lost sheep is profound. It is not that the ninety-nine are unimportant, but the recovery of the one who was in peril brings particular gladness. Jesus draws His disciples to see that this is how their heavenly Father regards the weakest and most vulnerable among them. He is not willing that even one of His little ones should perish. This is a message of assurance to those who follow Him in humility and faith, a promise that God will not abandon them even when they falter.
From a dispensational perspective, this parable reflects God’s ongoing faithfulness to the believing remnant of Israel. Throughout the nation’s history, God has always preserved a remnant, even when the majority turned away. The parable speaks to God’s care for this faithful remnant, assuring that none who truly belong to Him will be lost. It also points forward to the future, when during the Tribulation God will seek out and preserve His people, regathering the faithful remnant in preparation for Christ’s return.
The parable’s emphasis on God’s preservation of His own finds echoes in the New Testament epistles. Jesus describes Himself as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep, promising that none who belong to Him will be snatched from His hand. Paul affirms that God, who began a good work in His people, will bring it to completion. The pursuit of the straying sheep reflects this divine commitment to restore and protect those who are His.
The cultural context of the parable deepens its meaning. Sheep are creatures that easily wander and lose their way. A single sheep was valuable to a shepherd, representing not just livelihood but responsibility and care. A shepherd’s search for a lost sheep was no casual effort; it might involve long hours in difficult terrain and real danger. This is the kind of determined, sacrificial care that Jesus portrays as reflecting the heart of God.
The parable also reminds believers of their calling to reflect God’s shepherding heart. Just as God seeks out the wandering, so too are His people called to gently restore those who stray. Paul’s instructions to bear one another’s burdens and James’ reminder that turning back a sinner from the error of their ways brings life both resonate with this message.
In the end, the Parable of the Lost Sheep offers both comfort and challenge. It reassures the faithful that God’s care is personal and unfailing. No one who truly belongs to Him will ultimately be lost, for He actively preserves and restores His own. And it calls all who hear it to mirror that care, seeking out and supporting those who struggle or falter in their walk with the Lord.
Want to Go Deeper?
This post is adapted from my book, The Parables of Jesus: Covert Communication from the King (Grace and Knowledge Series, Book 7). It offers clear, verse-by-verse explanations of every parable using a faithful dispensational lens.
Read the full book on Amazon →
(Includes all parables in Gospel order, Old Testament parallels, and detailed Kingdom commentary.)
All Scripture quoted from:
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Related