In the parable of the lost sheep (cf. Matthew 18: 12-13; Luke 15: 4-6) the Lord Jesus portrayed, in very vivid and beautiful words, how a good shepherd acts: he leaves the 99 sheep where they are – together in the fold – and turns all his attention to the one sheep that has gone astray. He does whatever it takes to find it and carries it back to the fold. He is so happy about this that his joy even ignites his friends and neighbours. This is an image of God’s love and shows us that the dear God never gives up on anyone, but instead goes after each and every individual! And that is also something we should resolve to do: Let us turn to those who seem to be lost, who find themselves on the outer rim of the fold, who are not so easy to engage in our fellowship as others are.

It is not an easy task to go after those who have left the fellowship of God’s children and those who have set themselves apart from the congregation through too critical an attitude. But how beautiful when we think about how we can help such souls, how we can lead them back, or show them brotherly love and understanding, thereby displaying divine love. This will not always succeed at the first try.

If a sheep wanders away from the fold and the shepherd does not know exactly where it is, he will go and search for it. He may not find the sheep right away. Although he might be tempted to give up, a good shepherd will not act in such a manner. Rather he will search for as long as it takes to find the stray sheep. That means he must indeed make some effort! He must go where the lost sheep is.

This also applies in the figurative sense. We cannot simply pursue our own way and think it is useless for us to keep looking. We must put ourselves on the same level as this “lost sheep”. We must meet and engage the person wherever he or she happens to be. A congregation that does this – i.e. takes special care of those on the fringes or those who have dissociated themselves from the fold – is a strong congregation! A special blessing is associated with such conduct.

At first glance, the deeds of the good shepherd may seem a little unfair by human standards. After all, the shepherd leaves the 99 sheep behind and turns all his attention to the one lost sheep! And those who have always stayed in the fold do not receive such express care. It is my deep conviction that this too is part of the gospel, namely that we should turn our attention to those who are on the fringes, those who seem lost. Here we must apply other standards than those we employ in our daily lives.

(From a divine service by the Chief Apostle)