Joy for the One Found

This morning I am going to take the other side of a belief that I have. You see, I am concerned with this idea that the small percentage of a group should be of more concern than the larger percentage of the same group. The fringe groups of society are pushing to be recognized at the expense of the mainstream of society. This morning I am going to speak on behalf of a small percentage of a group, the followers of Christ.

“⁷Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” – Luke 15:7 (ESV)

Jesus shows us here that the one lost who is found and repents creates more joy than ninety-nine others who have already repented. The one percent is recognized more so than the ninety-nine percent. I have to see that the one is certainly greater than the ninety-nine in this instance.

How did we get to this realization, well Jesus tells us the parable of the lost sheep. When a shepherd loses just one sheep, he will leave the flock to find the one. Where as to some the one seems of little value, to the shepherd, that one sheep is part of the family, not to mention of monetary value to the shepherd as well. There is great rejoicing when the sheep is found and returned to the flock.

“⁴What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? ⁵And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. ⁶And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’” – Luke 15:4-6 (ESV)

Just as the sheep are of value to the shepherd, I am of value to the LORD. I am part of the family and when I am lost, He will drop everything to find me and bring me home. When I am found, there will be great rejoicing in the flock that I have been returned.

In this situation, the one is fully recognized, not at the expense of the greater group, but as a member of the group in need of rescue.

What is your approach to the one lost? Are you looking to them as though they are of little value alone? What if you were to take the approach of Jesus and the shepherd and drop everything to help the one be found and bring great joy to the flock?