The Ultimate Rescue Mission! Matthew 18:10-14

 The Parable of the Wandering Sheep

10 “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.

It is likely that the "little one" referred to is the child Jesus originally took into his arms, but it does have application for any new believer in Christ.  We know that angels have a couple of different purposes.  One, they glorify the Father in heaven.  Second,they are God's messengers to do God's bidding. I.e. We see the angel Gabriel's role in the birth of Jesus. 

"Angels are always ministering before him, and ready to execute his will and pleasure; so as the argument is not only drawn from the indecency and undutifulness that such despising must import, but also from the danger of it. Your heavenly Father so loveth these little ones, that he hath given his angels a special charge concerning them; and these angels being continually in the Lord’s presence, are ready both to make report how they are used in the world, and likewise having commission from God to execute his vengeance upon those who neglect, despise, or affront those that he hath taken into such a special protection." (Poole)

11 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.

Some leave verse this out in Matthew's version, but it is in Luke's version, so I added it back to the passage for today. The verse connects to the verse before it, and infers that the angels play a role in seeking and saving the lost.  

In a sense this verse sums up Jesus' mission on earth.  Jesus, acting on behalf of God the Father, did not wait for us to come to him.  He sought us out. He went on a alll out rescue mission to save the crown of creation, you and I.  Though we are lost in our sins, Jesus came to save us from them.  We are saved from being in bondage to sin in this life, and we will be saved from the sin that separated us from God and enjoy God forever when we die and come into His very presence. 

12 “What do you think? 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? 

Jesus then uses an illustration which would be very relateable to them.  Sheep were highly valuable to their owners.  We know they all had a rod and staff to make sure they didn't wander off.  But there are always those who find a way to leave the comfort of the group to go out on their own.  This single passage reminds us that there is never someone so far from God that He would give up on them.  Nor should we.  

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. 

This does not mean the man does not care for or cherish the other ninety nine, but his excitement is over finding the one which was lost.  This story is very similar to the parable of the Prodigal Son.  The younger son wanders off and wastes his inheritance and is wallowing in a ditch.  The Father stands scanning the horizon waiting for his son to come home.  The prodigal comes to his senses and comes home.  As the Father sees him coming home, he directs his servants to throw a party for his lost son.  The older son is resentful, because they have not thrown him many parties lately.  But the Father in a like manner praises him and tells him he is loved, bu they had to celebrate because His son who was lost was found.  

In the same way in the church, when one person comes back to church or comes to faith in Christ, there is reason for great rejoicing.  It doesn't mean the current members are not loved, but a new member of the family has come into the fold.  

14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

This verse affirms again that the Father's will is that all people come to a knowledge of the truth.  This is said again in 2 Peter 3:9, 

"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

Do you think the church does a good job of seeking and saving the lost?  Do you think a church member might get a little upset that so much emphasis is put on finding the lost versus ministering to them? Do you have a heart for lost people?  How do you express that in your daily life? Let's not give up on lost people who matter to God and therefore they should matter to us no matter how lost they are!