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Testimonies for the Church Volume 2
for to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying,
This Man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. And He spake
this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred
sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in
the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And
when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And
when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors,
saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which
was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one
sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons,
which need no repentance.”
The Pharisees murmured because Jesus received publicans and
common sinners, and ate with them. In their self-righteousness
they despised these poor sinners who gladly heard the words of
Jesus. To rebuke this spirit in the scribes and Pharisees, and leave an
impressive lesson for all, the Lord gave the parable of the lost sheep.
Notice in particular the following points:
The ninety and nine sheep are left, and diligent search is made
for the one that is lost. The entire effort is made for this unfortunate
sheep. So should the effort of the church be directed in behalf of
those members who are straying from the fold of Christ. And have
they wandered far away, do not wait till they return before you try to
help them, but go in search of them.
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When the lost sheep was found, it was borne home with joy, and
much rejoicing followed. This illustrates the blessed, joyful work
of laboring for the erring. The church that engages successfully in
this work is a happy church. That man or that woman whose soul
is drawn out in compassion and love for the erring, and who labors
to bring them to the fold of the Great Shepherd, is engaged in a
blessed work. And, oh, what a soul-enrapturing thought, that when
one sinner is thus reclaimed, there is more joy in heaven than over
ninety and nine just persons! Selfish, exclusive, exacting souls who
seem to fear to help those in error, as though they would become
polluted by so doing, do not taste of the sweets of this missionary
work; they do not feel that blessedness which fills all heaven with
rejoicing upon the rescue of one who has gone astray. They are shut
up to their narrow views and feelings, and are becoming as dry and
unfruitful as the mountains of Gilboa, upon which there was neither