OUR FATHER IS NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH

Matthew chapter 18 verses 12 - 14,  recording the Jesus teaching His disciples more about the value of Godˋs little ones, says this;

12 “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 

14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

The scene painted here by Jesus is that of a sheep owner in the hills tending his hundred sheep.

One of the sheep, maybe seeking greener pasture, wanders away and finds itself separated from the flock and lost.

The man, keen on recovering his lost sheep, leaves the other sheep and scours the hills looking for the lost one and IF he finds it, he is more thrilled about finding the lost one than he is about the ones that were never lost.

The implication is that there is a chance that the man would be unable to find the missing sheep and this translates back to mean that if we, little ones get lost, there is a chance that we may never be found. 

If we get lost and entangle ourselves out of sight and out of reach and refuse entreaties to return to the flock, we could be left behind to fend for ourselves.

The Father is not willing that any of His little ones get lost and He expends much time and treasure to retrieve them but if by their own will, refuse to return, He will not forcefully compel anyone to be part of His Kingdom.

Have mercy on us O Lord.

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