(May 10, 2025) Angeline Selvakumari shares some in-depth reflections…

Greetings to all our extended family members of Echo of His Call Ministries! Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Recently, I misplaced my passport. I searched everywhere but could not find it. It was driving me crazy! I was certain about where I had left it, yet when I went to retrieve it, it was gone. I searched every nook and corner, growing very anxious. The missing passport occupied my thoughts— I couldn’t focus on anything else, whether awake or asleep. More importantly, I needed it urgently. I didn’t have the time to apply for a new one or take a relaxed approach to search for it later.

Then it happened… as I frantically searched my house, I was reminded of Luke 1:3-7’s parable of the lost sheep.

The Security of ‘Ninety-Nineness’
Each time I read about the lost sheep, I find myself wondering: Why did the shepherd leave the ninety-nine? Wasn’t he concerned about them too? I understand that the one lost sheep must have been precious— but still, why would he leave the ninety-nine behind?

Have you ever wondered about them? If you were in a similar situation, would you leave the ninety-nine to search for the one? Not only did the shepherd leave them, but he left them in the wilderness. That made me think even harder. It wasn’t really a safe place— he didn’t leave them in a pen or a secure enclosure. They were out in the open, surrounded by wild animals and other dangers. He could have lost the ninety-nine while searching for the one!

I don’t know if anyone else has thought about this the way that I do. Maybe the lost sheep was young and curious, eager to explore, and simply got lost in the process. Or perhaps it was rebellious and disobedient, always wandering away, ignoring the shepherd’s guidance.

Regardless of the reason, the shepherd was willing to leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness— exposed and vulnerable— to go after the one.

There had to be a reason why the shepherd made that choice and my thinking, wondering, searching and concern led me to this conclusion: They were secure because the shepherd obviously had confidence in the ninety-nine!

The Strength of Unity
Indeed the shepherd must have had immense confidence regarding their safety to leave them behind in the open wilderness.

• It was likely he knew they had each other’s backs!
• Face with danger, they’d unite as a formidable force standing together as one.
• That united they’d be committed to supporting and sustaining one another at all times.

I’m certain the shepherd had trained them well in the power of togetherness. If one sheep were attacked, the other ninety-eight would instinctively rush to its aid— fiercely protective, unwavering in their defense. There is great power in unity.

The shepherd also understood that the one who was lost was vulnerable—  completely alone, with no one to defend or support. The chances of survival are slim, not only due to external threats but also because of the weight of isolation.

Being alone is a dangerous place to be. That is why the Bible encourages us to remain together! Psalm 133:1 for example: ‘How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!’

Churchgoing Christians together are meant to be ‘ninety-niners’ unified in having each other’s back!

The Surety of Togetherness
Think of the Luke 15 shepherd above in  terms of Jesus the great shepherd and we Christians as His sheep that He cares so much about. Knowing the time was coming when He would no longer be here on earth, here’s what He said to His followers back then:

‘Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them’(Matthew 18:19-20).

Message Bible is strong here: ‘When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I’ll be there.’ 

At times, we may feel it is better to be alone than to be around people who do not share our values, appreciate us, or genuinely love us. It is especially painful when those closest to us betray or hurt us, making it difficult to trust anyone again.

Dear brothers and sisters, if you have experienced this or are going through it now, I pray that the Lord heals your wounds. Jesus Christ Himself endured betrayal on His way to the cross, so He understands your pain, hesitation, and doubts.

Yes, trusting people in this world can be difficult. Sadly, this is one reason many hesitate to attend church. If you’re avoiding church because of the people there, I want to encourage you— please go! It is not just a suggestion but a command from God: ‘And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near’ (Hebrews 10:25).

The Solidarity of Fellowship
Do not distance yourself from the church. Remember, we live in an imperfect world among imperfect people, but the God of perfection will give us the grace to love and the wisdom to discern.

In Acts 12, when the church prayed together, God miraculously opened the prison doors for Peter. There is great power when believers unite in prayer and fellowship.

Love covers everything, and we need one another! African cultures have a beautiful proverb: ‘If you want to walk fast, walk alone. But if you want to walk far, walk with someone.’

However, be mindful of whom you choose to walk with and have fellowship with, for they will influence you. This is why Psalm 1 teaches us to avoid certain associations in order to prosper. Unity is essential, but the wrong company can lead to disaster.

Jesus offered a profound prayer: ‘… that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me– so that they may be brought to complete unity…’ (John 17:22–23).

While the shepherd’s pursuit of the one lost sheep is a powerful illustration of God’s radical mercy, the ninety-nine represents a larger community meant to rejoice in restoration. When one member returns, the joy is not just for the rescued but for the entire flock.

This teaches us that God values each individual and that restoration is a communal event— an invitation for everyone to celebrate and take part in bringing others back into the fold.

Read Matthew 18:19-20 again! ‘If two or three pray…’? Image what can happen when ninety-nine (or more!) Christians pray in unison!

The Summons of Vigilance
The shepherd above expected the ninety-nine to be vigilant and watchful. How else would the shepherd know that one is missing? Surely, at least one among them would have raised a concerned alarm.

We are called to be likewise— vigilant and watchful! To be the first to notice when someone begins to drift away and to gently guide that person back.

Jesus  the great shepherd expects ‘today’s ninety-nine’ to stay alert. We bear a great responsibility! If you consider yourself as one among the ninety-nine, then you have a duty toward the lost. We must be attentive to our family members, friends, and, above all, our church community. Too often, we assume that those around us are secure in their faith, but even among the ninety-nine, some may be wandering.

Be watchful! Perhaps it’s one’s father or mother, brother, sister, friend, grandparent, or spouse that needs help.

Perhaps you  even sense trouble ahead for some people. Ezekiel wrote that when the watchman sees the enemy approaching, he sounds the alarm to warn the people’ (Ezekiel 33:3–9). In the same way, the commitment of the ninety-nine helps prevent spiritual complacency and strengthens the overall health of the community.

God has positioned us as watchmen where He has placed us so let’s be vigilant and watchful… and actively help those who need restoration!

The Snare of Complacency
Sometimes, being part of the ninety-nine— feeling safe and protected— can lead to complacency … and an attitude of self-righteousness.

We may think, ‘Oh, I am in the fold. I am doing what is expected of me. I follow and obey Shepherd Jesus. I am not like the one who wanders.’ However, the safety of the ninety-nine can create a false sense of security. Being part of the flock does not make one spiritually immune or self-sufficient!

The parable challenges the righteous who might believe, ‘I don’t need repentance,’ by reminding them that God’s grace is available to all— even those who appear secure. As scripture says, ‘For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God’ (Romans 3:23).

In this way, the ninety-nine prompt us to examine our own hearts for signs of complacency or pride. ‘So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!’ warns 1Corinthians 10:12. Message Bible version is very strong here: ‘Don’t be so naive and self-confident. You’re not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it’s useless. Cultivate God-confidence.’ 

The Specialness of Caring
Dear reader, while I deeply admire Jesus the great shepherd who seeks out the one that is lost, I am equally grateful for His confidence in the ‘ninety-nine.’ They— our brothers and sisters in Christ— are a special gift to us!

• Although safe, He challenges us not to fall into a false sense of security.
• We must exercise dependence on God’s grace and care about serving others.
• Our role in caring is a living reminder that even the faithful need continual renewal.
• And know that such caring requires humility and ongoing repentance to preserve.
• We must recognise that our place in the flock is a gift from God to not just the many others, but even to individuals!

In short— the ‘ninety-nine’ must have one another’s back! Especially caring and praying for anyone we know as the ‘lost one’!

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 Pastor Angeline Selvakumari is Honourary Editor–in–Chief Echo of His Call, India’s Spiritual Newspaper, and newly appointed  Head and Chief Functionary of  EOHS offices. In furthering Echo of His Call ministries, established 1969, her father, Dr S Selva Raj broadcasts 5–minute YouTube messages in English, Tamil, Hindi and Telugu daily, trusting the Lord to provide for the costs. Link: sam@echoofhiscall.org 
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