Greetings in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”  (Luke 19:10)  
Imagine yourself in a bustling city square, where the sounds of vendors calling out, footsteps on cobblestones, and the chatter of people fill the air. Amid the commotion, a small child stands quietly, unnoticed by the hurried crowd. Their presence seems insignificant to those rushing by, yet to a loving parent, their absence would spark an urgent and tireless search.  
This scene mirrors how the world often treats those deemed “little” or unimportant. Society measures worth by wealth, status, achievements, or influence, often ignoring those who don’t meet these standards. The “little ones” are left unseen, unheard, and undervalued. Yet Jesus presents a completely different perspective. In His kingdom, the little, the lost, and the forgotten are cherished and sought after.  
In Matthew 18:10-14, Jesus highlights the value God places on every individual, especially those overlooked by the world. He warns His followers, “See that you do not despise one of these little ones,” and He shares the parable of the lost sheep. Through this story, Jesus reveals the heart of God—a heart that notices the little, searches for the lost, and celebrates their return.  
Today, we’ll explore:  
1. The immense value God places on the little and overlooked,  
2. His relentless pursuit of those who are lost, and  
3. The joy that fills heaven when the lost are found.  
In this journey, may we discover the depth of God’s love and His unwavering commitment to each of us, no matter how “little” or far we may feel.

God’s Value for the Little and Overlooked
Matthew 18:10
The world thrives on hierarchies—systems that celebrate wealth, power, influence, and achievement. Those who rise to the top are applauded, while those who don’t measure up are often ignored or dismissed. For the “little ones”—the poor, the marginalized, the overlooked—life can feel like an uphill battle, a struggle to be seen or valued in a world that places worth on status and success.
But Jesus offers a completely different perspective. In Matthew 18:10, He warns His followers: “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.” Far from being invisible or insignificant, the little ones are of immense value to God. They have angels who stand before the Father, advocating for them and reflecting their worth in His eyes.
This declaration flips the world’s priorities on their head. While society elevates the powerful, God elevates the lowly. The Apostle Paul echoes this truth in 1 Corinthians 1:27-28“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are.” In God’s kingdom, greatness is measured not by status or success but by humility, faith, and dependence on Him.
For anyone who has ever felt overlooked or undervalued, this truth is a profound source of hope. You are not invisible to God. He sees you, He values you, and He treasures you deeply. Psalm 139:13-14 affirms this: “For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
This message also challenges how we treat others. If God places such immense value on the little ones, how can we dismiss or despise them? Jesus calls us to reflect His heart by lifting up the weak, welcoming the outcast, and honoring those the world disregards. In Matthew 25:40, Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine, you did for Me.” Serving the little ones is not just an act of kindness—it is an act of worship to God.
God’s value for the little and overlooked teaches us two critical truths: First, no one is insignificant in His eyes. Each person, regardless of status or position, carries immeasurable worth. Second, as followers of Jesus, we are called to see others through God’s eyes—to honor, uplift, and care for the little ones in our midst.
If you’ve ever felt small or unseen, know this: God sees you. His kingdom is for you. You are not just part of the crowd—you are cherished, and in heaven, there is joy over your life. Let this truth redefine how you see yourself and how you see others. In God’s economy, the little ones are at the center of His heart.

The Relentless Pursuit of the Lost
Matthew 18:12-13
Jesus’ parable of the lost sheep begins with a striking question: “If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?” (Matthew 18:12). This decision seems irrational from a worldly perspective. Why risk leaving the ninety-nine to pursue a single wandering sheep? Yet, this is a powerful picture of the heart of God—a heart that values every individual so deeply that He will go to extraordinary lengths to bring the lost back home.  
To understand the full weight of this parable, we need to ask, “Who is the lost sheep?” The lost sheep represents anyone who has strayed from God’s guidance and protection. It might be someone who feels abandoned, weighed down by mistakes, or judged by others. It could be the person who has made choices that alienated them from their community or their faith.  
Sometimes, the lost sheep is someone who has hurt others in their frustration or anger, further isolating themselves. And yet, what stands out in this story is that Jesus doesn’t begin with correction. His first priority is not to reprimand or list the sheep’s wrongdoings. Instead, His focus is on finding the sheep, bringing it back, and restoring it to the fold.  
Ezekiel 34:16 beautifully captures the heart of God for the lost: “I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak.” This is not a passive love—it is an active, relentless pursuit. God doesn’t wait for the sheep to return on its own; He goes after it. This pursuit is not driven by obligation but by love.  
For those who feel lost, this truth is profoundly comforting. No matter how far you’ve wandered or how broken you feel, God is pursuing you. His love is not conditional on your actions; it’s based on His character. Psalm 23:6 reminds us, “Surely Your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life.” This is the nature of God’s love—it follows, seeks, and restores.  
But the parable also challenges those who remain part of the ninety-nine. Do we share in God’s heart for the lost? Are we willing to make sacrifices, even stepping out of our comfort zones, to join in God’s pursuit? Jesus calls us to reflect His compassion and to value every person, regardless of their past or present.  
The pursuit of the lost demonstrates that God sees every individual as irreplaceable. The ninety-nine sheep are important, but the one that is lost occupies His attention. When the lost are found, they are not met with condemnation but with celebration. Luke 15:7 echoes this joy: “There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”
God’s relentless pursuit of the lost is a testimony to His unconditional love. He doesn’t give up on us, no matter how far we’ve strayed. His priority is not just to find us but to bring us back into a relationship with Him—a relationship marked by grace, restoration, and joy.  

The Rejoicing Heart of God
Matthew 18:13-14
When the shepherd finds the lost sheep, Jesus says, “He rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray” (Matthew 18:13). This statement is remarkable—it highlights the immense joy in God’s heart when even one lost soul is found. The parable concludes with these profound words: “It is not the will of My Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish” (Matthew 18:14).  
This moment of rejoicing reveals a central truth about God: His love is not contingent on perfection or performance. He doesn’t measure our worth by how well we’ve stayed in line or how much we’ve achieved. Instead, His love is marked by a desire for restoration. The lost sheep, despite its wandering and mistakes, is not met with reprimand but with rejoicing.  
Luke 15:7 reinforces this truth: “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” God’s heart celebrates when the lost return, not with judgment or grudging acceptance but with overwhelming joy.  
This joy reminds us of God’s deep compassion and relentless hope. No one is beyond His reach, no matter how far they’ve strayed. The lost sheep may feel unworthy, broken, or forgotten, but God’s love declares otherwise. His pursuit is not about punishment but about restoration and relationship. As 2 Peter 3:9 says, “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.”  
For those of us who consider ourselves part of the ninety-nine, this parable challenges us to examine our own hearts. Do we share in God’s rejoicing when the lost are found? Or do we stand in judgment, wondering why so much attention is given to the wandering sheep? Jesus calls us to reflect His heart by welcoming and celebrating those who return.  
Consider the older brother in the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:25-32). While the father rejoiced over the return of his lost son, the older brother grew resentful, unable to see the beauty of restoration. This story serves as a cautionary reminder for us not to let pride or self-righteousness blind us to the joy of God’s redemptive work.  
God’s rejoicing also teaches us about His priorities. The ninety-nine sheep are important, but His heart aches for the one who is lost. This doesn’t diminish the value of the ninety-nine; rather, it magnifies the incredible worth He places on each individual. Every person matters deeply to God.  
As followers of Christ, we are called to share in God’s mission and His joy. When the lost are found, we are invited to celebrate alongside heaven, to welcome them with open arms, and to embody the love and grace of our Shepherd. God’s rejoicing heart is a reminder of His unchanging love and His relentless commitment to seek and save the lost.  
This is the heart of the gospel: a God who rejoices over each soul restored to Him. Will we join in His joy and extend His love to others?
Summary: The Unchanging Love of Jesus
Life often categorizes people into groups: the “great” and the “little,” the “included” and the “forgotten.” But Jesus dismantles these divisions with His unwavering love. He values every person equally, pursues the lost with relentless passion, and celebrates with joy when they are found.  
The parable of the lost sheep in Matthew 18:10-14 is more than just a story about a wandering animal—it’s about us. Every one of us, at some point, has been that lost sheep. We’ve wandered off the path, made mistakes, or felt the pain of rejection and isolation. Yet Jesus never abandons us. His love is constant and faithful. He actively seeks us, carries us back to safety, and rejoices when we return to Him.  
This divine love was demonstrated most powerfully on the cross. As Jesus suffered and was mocked, He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). His love didn’t just embrace the righteous; it extended to the lost, the broken, and even His accusers. Through His sacrifice, He offers forgiveness, restoration, and reconciliation to God.  
Today, that same love is available to you. Whether you see yourself among the ninety-nine or feel like the one who has strayed, know this: Jesus’ arms are open, ready to welcome you. His love is not conditional on your past—it is a gift freely given.  
Will you accept His invitation to return to Him? The Shepherd’s heart longs for your presence. Come and experience the joy of being found, restored, and celebrated in the arms of your Savior.  
Let’s pray together.
Heavenly Father, thank You for seeing and valuing every person, especially the little and the lost. Thank You for Your relentless love that pursues us, even when we stray. Teach us to trust in Your care and to reflect Your heart by embracing others with the same compassion.  
For those who feel lost today, Lord, draw them close to You. Let them know that they are not forgotten or abandoned but deeply loved and cherished. And for those who are part of the ninety-nine, help us to celebrate and welcome back the lost with joy, just as You do.  
In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.  
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)  

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You may use these HTML tags and attributes:

<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>