Jesus asks his listeners to imagine a man who owns one hundred sheep and discovers that one is missing.

The shepherd leaves the ninety-nine and goes after the lost sheep until he finds it.

When he finds the animal, he places it on his shoulders and returns rejoicing.

He calls friends and neighbors together and asks them to celebrate because the sheep that was lost has been found.

Jesus then explains the image in terms of joy in heaven over one sinner who repents.

Luke places the story alongside the lost coin and the lost son, creating a three-part response to criticism over Jesus’ association with sinners.

Matthew preserves the image in a somewhat different teaching context, emphasizing that the Father does not desire that one of the little ones perish.

In both settings, the central movement is from loss to active seeking to recovery and joy.