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Jesus' parable of the lost sheep is familiar and cherished. It illustrates how God's extraordinary love not only allows Him to forgive those who come to Him for mercy, but also compels Him to search out those who are on the run, and then joyfully forgive them.

Less familiar may be the tensions over Jesus' social interactions that prompted him to tell this story in the first place. In our social relations, which do we resemble more—Jesus or the Pharisees?

Luke 15:1-7

1. What do you think were the qualities of Jesus that attracted to Him people who felt unwelcome in their synagogues?
2. Why were the Pharisees and teachers of religious law bothered that Jesus associated with certain classes of people?
3. Can you picture the reputation of you or your church leaders suffering from the same complaint?
4. Why would it not be negligent for the shepherd to leave his flock?
5. Why would searching for the stray in the wilderness be the responsible thing to do?
6. Why would successfully retrieving the lost sheep call for celebration?
7. How could you add involvement with a "strays patrol" to "sheepfold maintenance"?

Ask God to give you a desire to be with those who are "missing" from His kingdom in order to attract them to Him.

1 Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. 2 This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such despicable people—even eating with them! 3 So Jesus used this illustration:

4 "If you had one hundred sheep, and one of them strayed away and was lost in the wilderness, wouldn't you leave the ninety-nine others to go and search for the lost one until you found it? 5 And then you would joyfully carry it home on your shoulders. 6 When you arrived, you would call together your friends and neighbors to rejoice with you because your lost sheep was found.

7I n the same way, heaven will be happier over one lost sinner who returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven't strayed away!"

Copyright © 2006 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine. Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Lord, I want to come across to others not as religious so much as real. Help me make being Your disciple look inviting.

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