📖 Biblical Definition
Christ's parable in Luke 15:3-7 (and Matt 18:12-14). What man, 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? When he finds it, he lays it on his shoulders rejoicing and calls his friends to celebrate. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
LOST SHEEP, n.
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A scriptural parable of Christ; the lost sheep.
📖 Key Scripture
Luke 15:4 — "What man of you, 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?"
Luke 15:5 — "And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing."
Luke 15:7 — "Joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth."
Matthew 18:14 — "Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity counts the ninety-nine; the Shepherd counted the missing one.
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The Shepherd's economics in Luke 15 are different from modern accounting. He leaves the ninety-nine for the one. Modern Christianity often optimizes for the ninety-nine — the existing members, the regular attenders, the reliable givers — and lets the one drift. Christ said go after the one. The percentages do not capture the Shepherd's heart.
Heaven's celebration is over the one who repents, not over the ninety-nine who never strayed (or never knew they had). Pray for the prodigal; reach for the drifting member; do not optimize away the lost one. The Shepherd lays the found sheep on His shoulders rejoicing; the same Shepherd is still rescuing.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek roots below.
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G4263 — probaton — sheep
G622 — apollumi — to lose, perish
Usage
"Modern Christianity counts the ninety-nine; the Shepherd counted the missing one."
"The percentages do not capture the Shepherd's heart."
"Pray for the prodigal; reach for the drifting member; the Shepherd is still rescuing."