SUMMARY
Jesus’ parableA parable is a brief story with a setting, an action, and a result. A prominent aspect of Jesus' teaching was telling parables to illustrate something about the kingdom, or reign, of God. More of the lost sheep makes the point that the Father’s will is that not one of the “little ones” be lost to the kingdom.
ANALYSIS
Jesus’ parable of the lost sheep continues the theme of greatness in the kingdom by likening the “little ones” of concern in 18:1-9 to “lost sheep,” who are the central concern of the Father in heaven. Matthew’s story parallels the motif of searching for and rejoicing over the one lost sheep out of ninety-nine of Luke’s version (see Luke 15:3-7), but here the parable is directed more pointedly to the theme of Matthew’s context: the assertion that it is the Father’s will that not one “little one” will be lost to the kingdom.
