Sheep were essential in ancient times. They provided food, wool, and income. For a shepherd, ninety-nine sheep together was a strong flock. Losing one sheep was normal and, in most cases, not worth the risk of leaving the rest behind. No shepherd would choose to leave ninety-nine unguarded to chase after one. That is why Jesus’ story stands out.

When Jesus told this parable, His listeners understood the logic of shepherding. They would have expected Him to say the shepherd accepted the loss and stayed with the flock. Instead, Jesus flipped the expectation. He described a shepherd who notices one missing, leaves the ninety-nine, and goes after the lost sheep until it is found. When he finally finds it, he lifts it onto his shoulders and carries it home with joy.

Matthew 18 and Luke 15 both record this story. Matthew highlights the happiness of the shepherd when the sheep is restored. Luke highlights the persistence of the search. Together, they paint the same picture: God does not say, “Ninety-nine is enough.” His care is not about numbers. His care is about individuals.

Think about how different that is from the way most of us see the world. If ninety-nine percent of a business succeeds, we call it a victory. If ninety-nine out of a hundred tasks are complete, the missing one hardly matters. Jesus teaches that in God’s kingdom the missing one matters as much as the ninety-nine.

This truth applies to us in two ways. First, it is personal. We all know what it feels like to wander. Sometimes it is obvious, like walking away from God in open rebellion. Other times it is quiet, like neglecting prayer, drifting in faith, or letting other priorities take over. In either case, we can start to believe God is too busy to care. Yet Jesus shows us that God does notice. He does pursue. He does not shrug off the one who has strayed. He searches until He brings the lost one home.

Second, it calls us to live like the Shepherd. If God values the one, then His people should too. Churches and communities often celebrate large numbers, but the heart of God is revealed in how we care for individuals. Who around you may feel forgotten? Who has wandered from faith or slipped quietly out of community? To reflect the Shepherd’s heart is to notice, to reach out, and to walk toward them with care.

The lesson is clear and simple. God’s love is not satisfied with almost everyone. He cares about the one. He cares about you when you wander. He also calls you to care for the one around you who may be missing.

So ask yourself today: Am I the one He is searching for right now? Or am I part of the ninety-nine, called to join Him in noticing who is gone?

Let us know if these devotion are getting too long or too short!

When you’re not sure how to pray, A.C.T.S. gives you a simple path to follow: Adore, Confess, Thank, and Ask.

In Jesus name, Amen

“Reckless Love” by Cory Asbury

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Remember, He will leave the 99 to find you.

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See you tomorrow,

Zach and the Daily Devotion team