In Matthew 18:10–14, Jesus shares the parable of the lost sheep, emphasizing the importance of each individual in the eyes of God. This story, often referred to as Jesus and the parable of the lost sheep, illustrates how no one is expendable in the kingdom of God.
No one is expendable in the kingdom of God, as emphasized by Jesus and the parable of the lost sheep.
In Matthew 18:10–14, Jesus reminds His disciples of the immense value of every soul and warns against looking down on any believer, especially the “little ones.” Jesus and the parable of the lost sheep highlight this lesson.
Matthew 18:10–14 (NASB 2020)
10 See that you do not look down on one of these little ones; for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven. 12 What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go and search for the one that is lost? 13 And if it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that have not gone astray. 14 So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven for one of these little ones to perish.
Who Was Jesus Speaking To?
- His disciples, as He continued teaching them about spiritual responsibility
- All future believers, especially leaders, are tempted to dismiss or overlook others
What Happened?
- Jesus warns them not to despise even one believer
- He reminds them that heaven sees and values each person
- He tells a parable showing the Father’s heart: pursuing the one who strays
The Mood: Loving, Convicting, Hopeful
- Jesus speaks with pastoral compassion
- He calls His listeners to humility and love toward every person
- His tone is one of both gentle correction and encouragement
The Principle: Every Person Matters to God
- Heaven watches over the vulnerable
- God actively seeks out the lost, as highlighted in Jesus and the parable of the lost sheep.
- Restoration brings joy to the Father
- We must treat others as God treats them: with pursuit and rejoicing, not judgment
Audience Response (Then)
- The disciples were likely challenged to rethink how they viewed others
- This reinforced earlier lessons on humility and value in the kingdom
- No recorded opposition—only a deepening of Christ’s heart for the lowly
What This Means for Us in 2025
In a world obsessed with platform, performance, and popularity, Jesus reminds us through the parable: every person matters when it comes to Jesus and the parable of the lost sheep.
- Every person matters
- We are called to pursue the lost, not shame them
- Despising others invites judgment and grieves heaven
Jesus expects His people to reflect His heart of a shepherd in every interaction.
Action Steps for Today
- Repent of judgmental attitudes. Ask God to renew your view of others.
- Pursue someone who strayed. A call or message could restore them.
- Protect the vulnerable. Be a guardian, not a critic.
- Celebrate spiritual restoration. Let heaven’s joy become yours.
- Stay humble. You were once the one sheep, too.
Final Prayer
Jesus, give me Your heart for the one who is lost. Help me to never despise or dismiss any soul You died to save. Let me pursue with compassion, restore with humility, and rejoice like heaven when the lost return. In Your name, Amen.
Despising no one is a mark of discipleship. Pursuing the lost is a reflection of God’s love.
