Jesus' parable of the shepherd and the lost sheep has some pointed lessons for Christians about their responsibility to those who are lost.

The shepherd wasn't satisfied with 99 percent of his sheep safe within the fold. He did not say boastfully, "What a remarkable showing--only one absent!" No, he felt personally responsible for that one missing sheep (Lk. 15:4).

Nor did the shepherd assume that it would come back on its own. That sheep was indifferent to its lost condition and needed to be found. So the shepherd took the initiative and went searching for it. And he did not give up until it was found (v.5).

The shepherd also wanted others to share his joy in finding that one lost sheep (v.6). His friends and neighbors who celebrated with him must have felt that to find a lost sheep was one of the most joyous and worthwhile endeavors in the world.

Christians have an obligation to seek out the lost. What a difference it would make if we who know the Lord responded with a resounding "Yes!" to the age-old question, "Am I my brother's keeper?" Then, like the shepherd in Jesus' parable, we too would be zealous in seeking the lost sheep.  — Richard De Haan