February 25, 2026
Jesus tells the story in Matthew 18:10-14 of a shepherd who leaves ninety-nine sheep to search for the one that has wandered away. Rather than writing the lost sheep off as careless or unimportant, the shepherd pursues it with determination and joy. Jesus reveals that God’s heart is always turned toward those who have drifted, and that no one is beyond His care.
Devotional: Lent is a season for people who have wandered.
That’s the quiet truth at the center of Matthew 18. Jesus paints a simple picture: a shepherd, a flock, and one sheep that has strayed. Instead of shrugging his shoulders and settling for the ninety-nine, the shepherd goes looking for the one.
It is such a small story, but it says something enormous about the heart of God.
Most of us know what it feels like to drift. We don’t usually set out to get lost. Life gets busy. Priorities shift. Faith grows thin around the edges. Little by little, we realize we’re not as close to God as we once were.
And Jesus says that is exactly where God starts looking.
The disciples saw Christ revealed in glory on the mountain, but they still needed to learn how deeply He cared for ordinary, imperfect people. This parable shows them, and us, that God never gives up on those who have wandered.
Lent gives us space to admit when we are that one sheep.
The good news is that God does not wait impatiently for us to find our way back on our own. He comes after us. He notices our absence. He searches until we are found. And when He finds us, He rejoices instead of scolding.
That is the kind of Shepherd we follow.
So much of repentance is simply allowing ourselves to be found again. We stop pretending we’re fine. We stop hiding in shame. We turn toward the One who has been looking for us all along.
This parable reminds us that no distance is too far for God’s mercy. No detour can cancel His love. The heart of Lent is not fear of punishment but the joy of being brought home.
God’s grace is not only for the faithful ninety-nine. It is especially for the one who needs to be found.
Action: Ask yourself honestly where you may have drifted from God. Spend a few minutes today turning that area back toward Him, trusting that He meets you with joy, not judgment.
Prayer: Good Shepherd, thank You for never giving up on us when we wander. Seek us when we drift and bring us gently back into Your care. Help us trust Your mercy and rest in Your love during this Lenten season. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
Thought for the Day: No one is too far for God to find.
Jesus tells us that God is like a shepherd who searches for the one lost sheep with joy and determination. Matthew 18:10–14 reminds us that Lent is a season of being found again, a time to turn back toward the God who never stops pursuing us with grace.
