Jesus is that shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine sheep in the hills and sets out to look for the one lost sheep. Jesus knows that the Father wills not even one be lost. God loves each and every one of us and will do anything to save us from harm. God sends his only Son Jesus to come to us to bring every one of us back to God.

Very often we are one of the ninety-nine. We are in a safe place. We put all our attention in what is achievable and do what is cost-effective. We have no time for those who fall behind. We regard them as a hindrance to progress. We want to get rid of them as if they were baggage, rather than to carry them along in a neighbourly manner; we have no room for what is not in our projects. This is not Christ-like!

Christian teachers, social workers, parents, church leaders ... we can model ourselves on the Good Shepherd, looking out for those who fall behind, or we can remain up in the hills counting our blessings. But if we are complacent, we will lose track of Jesus, who is out there somewhere looking for lost sheep.