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This Doesn’t Make Sense (Pursuit part 1)
- May 25, 2025 / Joshua Ott
It doesn’t make sense to leave 99 sheep to chase one that wandered off—but that’s exactly what Jesus says the Good Shepherd does. In response to the judgmental muttering of the religious crowd, Jesus tells three parables—simple, relatable stories with deep spiritual truths. And they all aim at one thing: our hearts. In the first story, a sheep doesn’t rebel—it just drifts. Distracted, unaware, and vulnerable—just like us. But the Shepherd notices. He sees the one that no one else sees. He pursues. That’s the kind of love Jesus has for you. It might not make sense to us, but it makes perfect sense to a God whose love goes further than we can imagine.
KEY VERSES:
- Luke 15:1–7
- Romans 8:38–39
- Isaiah 40:11
- Luke 19:10
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Series Context: Week 2 of the “Prodigals” series – a journey through Luke 15
- Luke 15:1–7: Jesus responds to the judgment of religious leaders with a story about a shepherd and a lost sheep
- Parables are reflective: We don’t just hear them—we see ourselves in them
- The Sheep:
- Not rebellious—just distracted, unaware, and vulnerable
- Wandered off chasing “good” things outside the Shepherd’s care
- Didn’t realize the risk or the blessing of staying close
- The Shepherd:
- Leaves the 99 to chase down the 1
- Puts the sheep on his shoulders—not to punish, but to carry home
- Shows us God's heart: personal, sacrificial, and joy-filled
- It Doesn’t Make Sense: From a human point of view, this pursuit is inefficient and risky—but love doesn’t always make sense
- God’s Love: It’s not based on ROI—it’s based on relationship
- Three Applications:
- If you’ve wandered—let Him carry you home
- Check your heart—do you look more like Jesus or the 99?
- Who’s your one?—who’s the person God is calling you to pursue?
TALK ABOUT IT:
- What does it look like when I “wander” spiritually?
- Have I been distracted from God by things that seemed good at the time?
- Do I tend to judge others who are far from God, or pursue them with love?
- Why is it so hard to believe that God would come after just me?
- What keeps me from letting God carry me when I’m tired or lost?
- Who is the “one” in my life that I need to love and pray for right now?
- Do I trust that God rejoices when I return—or do I expect punishment?
APPLY IT:
- If you feel distant from God, stop striving and just let Him carry you home
- Be honest about what’s been distracting you—it might not be rebellion, just drift
- Ask yourself: Is your heart more like Jesus or like the 99 watching from a distance?
- Pray for “your one”—the person you know who’s wandered and needs grace
- Re-center your life on the Shepherd's voice, not just spiritual habits
- Don’t assume people have to fix themselves before being found—God comes to them
Born and raised in Schuylkill County, Josh is passionate about Grace being a church that reaches the entire county. He drives the vision, content, clarity, and leadership cohesion at our church. Josh loves old Harleys, fly-fishing, and Philly sports, but not nearly as much as a he loves spending time with his family.