The Lost Sheep

1. The Lost Sheep Shepherds The oldest occupation mentioned in the Bible. Sheep were very useful. Their wool could be collected and woven into cloth, their milk drunk or made into cheese and their meat eaten. Because sheep have both cloven hooves and chew their cud, they are among the animals that the Jews were (and are) allowed to eat. Perfect, unblemished, lambs were also used for sacrifice at the Passover ritual. Although most families kept a sheep or two, shepherding was mostly done in the south of Palestine, in the rocky, barren hills around Jerusalem. The shepherds’ job was to care for the sheep, often in harsh and difficult circumstances. Shepherding was a hard life. The sole task was ensuring the sheep were safe and well: keeping them safe from wild animals and moving them to find food and water. This could be a very hard task on land that was often inhospitable! Finally, shepherds were not really liked by the people as they were often very poor (and smelly). Many shepherds did not mind their own sheep but instead looked after someone else’s. Also, they often did not fulfil their religious duties as they were minding the sheep! http://www.thebibledoctor.com/

2. Pharisees The Pharisees (a word which means ‘separate ones’) were responsible for the local synagogues. Pharisees believed that the Israelites were a kingdom of priests and that they should observe purity regulations at all times. They often washed frequently to cleanse themselves from direct or indirect contact with unclean people and things. Pharisees were interpreters of the law and while most Pharisees took into consideration the circumstances of the situation, some stressed strict observance of the law and neglected the spirit behind it. Pharisees believed in angels and spirits and that after death each person would be judged and rewarded or punished accordingly. In some gospels the Pharisees appear to be rigid and unfeeling, in others they seem to be open to the teaching of Jesus. This probably reflects the reality of the day as well as each author’s perception of the Pharisees. We should not think they every Pharisee hated Jesus or was out to get him! Jesus probably learned a great deal from the Pharisees of his day. Scribe Scribes were professional copyists and teachers of the Law. Their writing was, therefore, beautiful. Most scribes were or had been Pharisees who had undertaken a period of study or ‘apprenticeship’ with another Scribe. Because of their training, they were also called lawyers. When you spoke to them you addressed them as ‘Rabbi’ or ‘Master’. The writer of the Gospel of Matthew is thought to have been a scribe. http://www.thebibledoctor.com

3. The Lost Sheep Jesus had a style of leadership that was very different to other religious leaders. Jesus could be found visiting the poor, the sick and eating with people others did not like, such as tax collectors. Jesus enjoyed being with all people, no matter their job, race or gender. He wanted to search for sinners and help them. The Jewish leaders did not like Jesus behaving in this way, as it was something they would never do. Jesus told this parable one day when he was sitting around with some people and he could overhear the Pharisees and scribes complaining about it.

4. The Lost Sheep The Lost Sheep is one of 3 Parables Jesus told about things that were lost. The Lost Sheep The Lost Son The Lost Coin. We are encouraged to think about how happy we are when we find something that we have lost during these Parables. This scripture helps us to learn that people who have sinned can also be described as lost. However, if they are sorry and ask for forgiveness, God will be as happy as we are when we find something that we had lost.

5. The Lost Sheep Definitions from The Bible Doctor: http://www.thebibledoctor.com