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THE WANDERING SHEEP (MATTHEW 18:10-14)

REFLECTION

The “wandering sheep” is the theme of our reflection. A wandering sheep in the context of our theme and reflection means to to stray or lose one’s way. It also means moving about without any particular direction. A wandering sheep is a lost sheep moving about with a sense of direction towards home. We shall reflect on the fact that a wandering sheep represents a person who has lost faith and spiritual direction in Christ.

Beloved in the Lord, Jesus acknowledges the fact that a believer who refuses to stay in touch with Him, the Shepherd of our lives, or remains part of the fellowship of believers, will wander away or will be led astray. However, it is not the will of God for any of His sheep to wander away from the flock or fellowship, therefore, He makes it a priority to search for the wandering sheep or believer. It is, for this reason that Jesus said to His disciples, If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. (Matthew 18:12-13). Beloved in the Lord, some believers wander away like stray sheep because of the lack of faith in God and the material and pleasure entrapments of this world as found in the example of the prodigal son in (Luke 15: 11-32). Everyone is important in the fellowship or Church of Christ, hence Jesus admonishes His disciples, “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. (Matthew 18:10).

The church and for that matter leaders of the church must be interested in the spiritual and holistic welfare of believers under their watch or leadership. We must discharge our stewardship with compassion. It is essential to note that the shepherd knew one of the sheep had wandered away because he knew them individually and always counted them when they returned from the field. How well do Pastors, Catechists, Presbyters (elders), and group executives know their church members? Are church leaders sensitive to the needs of their suffering members or members who may be going astray for one reason or the other? Are church leaders only interested in members who are visibly healthy and punctual to church functions? What about members who have been absent or are not consistent with their church attendance? Again, what about those who attend church services regularly but are struggling morally and spiritually, do we judge and avoid them or show compassion and support towards their restoration? Jesus placed great importance on prioritising the search and restoration of the wandering sheep or missing members, it is for this purpose that He explained the parable of the wandering sheep saying, In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish. (Matthew 18:14)

We must understand that there are two types of wandering sheep that God is searching for. The church is called to go into the world to search for these two types of wandering sheep. The first kind of wandering sheep are those who were part of the church fellowship of believers or the church but wandered away for lack of faith and disobedience to God’s word. The sheep knows its owner and the owner also knows the sheep except that the sheep has wandered away. This category of lost sheep is the focus of our reflection. The sheep is known and has an identity, its absence from the flock reduces the number of the flock, therefore, Jesus said, “…your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.” (Matthew 18:14)

The second, category of lost sheep is the one that does not know its owner but the owner knows it. It does not know its owner because it was born into the wilderness and has ever since been wandering. The Shepherd goes to search for it and when it is found, the flock increases. These are people who have not yet been saved nor have they come to the saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. They are the people Jesus meant when He said, For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17)

In summary, we have discovered that a wandering sheep represents a person who has lost faith and spiritual direction in Christ. It is God’s will and mission to search for His wandering sheep. Christian leaders and for that matter, the Church must prioritise the search for the wandering sheep according to Matthew 18:14 and John 3:16. Shalom.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, guide as sheep of the Lord’s flock to live a purpose-driven life. Amen.