(Let's notice something here right off the bat. This is the third time Christ' warning about babe protection. Let's look here at this emphasis on "special protection." But, of course never angel worship. Here is a condensed verse of the Parable of the Sheep from Luke 15. Which we will put here as well. Most of all when one sinner repents it is the utmost importance to bring them in and DO NOTHING to discourage, dismay, hurt them. When you hold repentant Christians sins over them you do just that. They see that. Of course a little one/babe-baby we would give more care too as well).
11For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
(Without protecting the babes it would be self-refuting from the get-go. This is the whole point. Then growing in God's Word. Of course, a babe will have this want to grow, of course. Responsive to God and His Word with that Shepherd's Rod. This is not just for Pastors, teachers, preacher. This is for any mature Christian. A Pastor of course is a feeder of the sheep as well, but not or never in the sense of savior or you trust in them for that, or them to justify you).
12How think ye? if a man have an 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?
Today, this would be like Christ saying how do you roll? NO ONE can logically say no to this question. For more on the analogy below in Luke 15.
13And 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.
Yes, because we all get that the world has stopped moving feeling when we lose something near and dear, valuable to us. When it's found, this should and does bring more appreciation. This is like going to take a beating (in the world), then going back to do it all over. It happens, but Christ is going to get them, they also are going to pay for it. NOT RECOMMENDED, not listening to God going to pay. The rod brings back them in.
(Now to the more mature. He does not want to lose any of them, so here a comparison, once again the importance of the babes. Now Christ is saying the more mature here don't forget them).
14Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish."
To Luke 15 to give more.
(Luke 15:3-7) "And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
(Parable = side by side comparison to separate truth. Clearing out the middle ground, in the simplicity that Christ teaches).
4What 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?
The answer is no one. That sheep would become the most valuable thing to anyone. Even if you consider yourself the "black sheep."
(Today, this would be likened to losing your dog/pet (a valuable animal to you), a person would go searching and searching calling out, whistling, doing anything in desperation to get their attention in finding their lost pet. So it is with Christ that is how bad HE wants people to come to the truth).
5And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
What does Christ do? Christ picks you up and carries you on HIS shoulders home to the Father.
Wounded with no healing and protection. He's not mad here, but glad! The Word from the Greek means rejoice exceedingly with emphasis. Taking them out of the wilderness/desert, disheveled, cold, among the wolves, foxes, jackals, snakes, dragons, serpents (can't get bitten, or eaten alive now, by man) being protected from them in the sheep fold now.
(There is no place to call a home. A sheep is out of place in the wilderness/desert, and there is no green pasture to eat. Very important: here, they have already submitted to the shepherd's rod. By responding to Christ. Now keep moving forward).
Contrary to people when they found the sheep, Most would be mad and say something to the like, "oh, you stupid sheep" Along them lines. But we say to that to ourselves. What were we doing wandering without God? Here is an important part. Where we could be harder on ourselves than God is here. He does not call you or them stupid/dumb sheep, He's forgiven ALL.
I always view it this way, Father through Christ has forgiven me, who am I to say or do otherwise?
6And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
And so it is with Christians (better be), when one has repented/believed unto salvation Jesus is exceedingly joyful, and so should Christians.
7I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just (righteous) persons, which need no repentance (change of mind, as one's purpose, as in walking in the right direction now)."
(Celebration in Heaven, a party if you will. So should Christians speaking of what God wants, "thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven." I would hope so, we share in the their joy. Now is the time build up).
Let's remember the difference in repenting at salvation is complete change in heart to mind about sin and the results of it, where it got a person. Worldly sorrow to Godly sorrow, in the process. Repenting as a Christian is sinning/messing up having a deep remorse, where the world cannot relate. King David is a great example.
AMEN †
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