The Parable of the Lost Sheep - Bible Reflections - Why Be a Little One?

By Tony Joe:

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 18:12-14:

“What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? 

And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. 

Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

The Parable of the Lost Sheep - Bible Reflections:

Why be a Little One?

Chapters 18 to 25 of the Gospel According to St. Matthew are packed with some of Christ's most invaluable teachings.

These lessons flow from Jesus soon after His Transfiguration on a mountain, as well as His second prediction about His own death and resurrection.

He is yet to reach Jerusalem for His final visit.

'The Parable of the Lost Sheep' in Chapter 18, which is the Gospel reading for today, appears amidst a unique set of messages revolving around a central theme.

There ensues a discussion among disciples about who is the greatest of them, and they approach Jesus for resolution.

And surprising them, He answers that the greatest among them is the most humble one, one who is like a child.

Then Jesus speaks about the pervasive nature of temptations in this world, but warns that whoever causes temptations to 'little ones' would face severe punishment.

Immediately after this mention, comes today's Gospel passage, and we see here Christ continuing this reference to 'little ones'.

So, to understand today's reading it is important that we realize who are these 'little ones'.

Is this a reference to children? Yes it is. Is this a reference to the childlike adults? Yes it is. Is this a reference to sinners? Of course, it is that too.

Is this a reference to childlike adults who are also sinners? Yes, this is what Jesus really meant.

Sinners come in different forms. A person can be a sinner and be proud or arrogant about it. But a person can also be a sinner and yet be humble and repentant of it.

That is why immediately after damning the tempters and temptresses, Jesus warns his followers to not apply the same yardstick to the tempted.

They are really 'little ones' and see the beautiful word that Jesus uses to describe their behaviour in this equally beautiful parable - "...goes astray".

God thinks that they just lost their way, went missing!

And Christ does something special for such humble sinners. He leaves everything behind, even His ninety-nine good sheep, and comes searching for that humble sinner.

What an elevating revelation that is! 

We have fallen into temptation, became addicted to sin maybe, lost our way, and have no hope of making our way back to the pure path, yet we need not despair, as Jesus is guaranteeing that He will come in search for us.

And when He does find us, He promises that He will rejoice! What kind of rejoicing? A joyfulness greater than that of already having 99 obedient ones with Him.

There is only one precondition for all these wonderful things to happen - we need to be a 'little one'. Humble and repentant.

Note that no such luxury exists for the proud sinners, the willful sinners, those who tempt others and cause them to sin too.

Christ finally divulges why He goes to such extremes. It is solely because it is the Will of the Heavenly Father that none of His little ones should be lost forever.

It is also worth contemplating on How did Jesus ensure that He will go in search of each little one, each repentant sinner? 

It was primarily by dying a most horrible death on the Cross in atonement of the sins of all of us, and giving us that benefit of forgiveness only on basis of our faith in Him.

So, if and when we find ourselves felled by temptation again, we just need to remind ourselves that this sin too has been forgiven by Christ's blood, if only we believe in Him in a spirit of repentance. 

There is no room for despair. We have to get back to Him urgently on this faith, and instantly He will be there to assist us through various blessings and help in our everyday life.

But we should also remember in our hearts what Jesus often used to tell after He has healed or forgiven - "Sin no more".

He wants us to stay pure, as He only knows the torture He went through on the Cross, to search for us and to bring us back to God.