Following the series - the lost, we shall examine some more things. Read the parable in the King James Version (Luke 15:1-6) “Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. 3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 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? 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost” (emphasis mine). ![IMG-20180502-WA0000.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmbLCWN8qpbUyA3PYvaqgUZm5YjAyzJeHfUjGSYCgiZs68/IMG-20180502-WA0000.jpg)

To understand that the shepherd was not careless in leaving the sheep in the wilderness, you have to understand that the ultimate wish of the shepherd is to transform the wilderness into a fruitful field. The sheep were already saved, they can never be lost, they were on a mission in the wilderness before one was noticed missing. This sheep were to make a difference in the wilderness not to be scared. 

Isaiah 32:15 states that Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest (emphasis mine). The drought of the wilderness could not affect the saved because they had adequate supply that could stand the test of time in any condition. The transformation needed in the wilderness is only going to take place because of the ‘saved’ sheep in the wilderness who the Lord has specifically positioned there for a purpose. The sheep would not have been left in the wilderness or open country if they were not positioned there to transform it or withstand it. The sheep were the instrument that the Lord needed to use to do ‘A new thing’ Isaiah 43:19 (KJV) says Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert (emphasis mine). The sheep will not find purpose in fulfilling their destiny if they are left in the comfort of a pasture or a house. For God to make a way in the desert, He needs people who He will use to carry out His agenda. The wilderness will remain a wilderness without the impact of the children of God.

Come to think of it. We are in a wilderness. The spirit of God in us is to impact us to transform the wilderness into a fruitful field, and from a fruitful field to a forest. A great lesson to learn is that we should never see the wilderness around us BUT the impact we have been saved to bring to the wilderness. We are found for a responsibility. It is our turn to look for the lost. 

The Lord has given us this responsibility, encapsulated in the great commission (Matthew 28:19-20 or Mark 16:15-16). Finding the lost is important because there is rejoicing in heaven over a sinner (lost) that repents (found) according to Luke 15:7. I use to think how unfair it will really be when a found-lost sheep is been celebrated and the others are not. I came to the understanding that for every lost sheep that was found, there was an equal celebration. Jesus made us to understand that God does not want anyone to perish and that is why all heaven delight in the restoration of the lost sheep. By creation and redemption every being on planet earth is God’s property.

 We all have equal value in the sight of God and because of the infinitely higher degree of love the shepherd has for the sheep, He refuses to rest until the missing sheep is found. We must carry out this responsibility with love in our heart like the shepherd in the parable. The shepherd never scolded the sheep or limited his involvement with the rest of the flock because of where it has come from. Instead the sheep was celebrated. It is now our duty to go in search for the lost sheep of Christ. He has found us for us to find others. He found us even when we did not seek Him. We must like the Good Shepherd go in search for the lost sheep and when we find them we behave as the good sheperd will. Dont be judgmental; be Godmental.

It is with you!
I am @outhori5ed; Grace is my Life!