p. 248 | THE PARABLE OF THE LOST SHEEP by James White

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, April 15, 1880

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 16

THE PARABLE OF THE LOST SHEEP.

By James White

Our Lord seems to anticipate the fact that the cutting-off process would meet the minds of the impatient and rash; and to put such on their guard, and impress them with the value, in the estimation of Heaven, of the poor, halting, wandering soul, he next introduces the parable of the lost sheep.

“Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in Heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in Heaven. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. How think ye? If a man have a hundred sheep and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in Heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.” Matt. 18:10–14.

The love of the Lord for all his dear people, however humble and feeble they may appear in the eyes of the world, and his tender care for them, are the subject of this part of the discourse. They may be despised of proud and sinful men, but they are honored of high Heaven, inasmuch as they have holy angels that excel in strength to guard them, who can appear at any moment in the court of Heaven in their behalf. Please notice:—

1. The mission of the Son of God was to save lost sinners. He would have the tenderest care, and the most anxious vigilance manifested toward the weak, and those who unwittingly stray from his fold. And at the same time, for the safety of his church, he would have his people withdraw from those who persist in walking disorderly, who are fault-finding, murmuring, and rebellious.

2. There is a class of minds that wander innocently. And it is the duty of those who are stronger, and see the way of life more clearly, to bear the infirmities of these weaker ones. The shepherd, leaving the ninety and nine, and going in search of the sheep that was lost, and his tender care for that one, most simple of all the flock, is an impressive lesson to the church to care for, and bear with, the weak, the simple and honest humble ones in the church. But obligations are mutual. If it be the duty of the stronger to help the weaker, the weak ones must be

willing to be helped. If they need to be taught, they should be willing to learn.

3. True happiness consists in doing good to others. This is illustrated by the rejoicing of the shepherd over the one sheep that was found. It is a great work to rescue from danger one soul for whom Christ died. “Brethren,” says the apostle James, “if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him, let him know that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death, and hide a multitude of sins.”

4. The preciousness of Christ’s little ones, in the estimation of the Master, and the sin of offending them, are illustrated by the statement that “Whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” And again the Lord says, “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in Heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in Heaven.”

These little ones who believe in Christ, once sold for naught, are now purchased at the immense cost of the precious blood of the Son of God. The labors of the ministers of Jesus, who have brought them to a saving knowledge of the truth, are of great value, and they are honored with the guardian care of sinless angels from the throne of Heaven, who can appear in the presence of God as quick as thought. How grand the situation! How exceedingly hazardous to offend and despise Christ’s trusting ones, who have humbled themselves, have been converted, and are the charge of sinless angels who excel in strength. Take care, reader! If you offend and despise one of these who believe, his guardian angel will report you at once at the very court of Heaven.

Let these facts cheer the heart of the humble, trusting believer. And however aggravating may be the offense from those who are the tools of Satan, let the fact that Heaven is pledged to care for you, and that an angel stands by your side, lead you to sweet submission to the will of Christ, and to bear with Christian fortitude, and even rejoicing, all that reproach which may be heaped upon you. For Jesus has said in another place: “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake; for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in Heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”

Are you reproached and despised? Your guardian angel reports the fact, and for every offense, reward is set down to your account in the records of Heaven, until your treasure there becomes immense. Joyous thought! By faithfulness on your part, you are laying up a treasure in Heaven, while the tongue of slander, led on by the spirit of persecution, is piling up your treasure still higher. J. W.