But it makes me wonder, how can God lose something?
Is it really possible?
The people the Lord entrust’s with His sheep, may or may not love the sheep the way He loves them.
That is the point of His teaching.
He is teaching His disciples, while at the same time, correcting the mindset of the Pharisees concerning being responsible for the well being of the house of Israel.
Here is what Jesus instructed Peter to do, that he may love God and love God’s people, ie his neighbor.
He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?”
And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”
Jesus said to him, “
Feed My sheep. John 21:17
Jesus is seated at the right hand of God, and has passed on the responsibility to govern and care for the Church to His leadership.
The Gospel is preached by those whom He sends.
It’s up to the Church to go after the lost.
It’s up to each person to make the choice to repent, and be reconciled to God.
“
But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “
Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’
“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again,
and was lost and is found.’ Luke 15:17-21, 32
The Father did not go after the son, but rather the son came to himself after having suffered, and repented, confessed his sin, and returned to the father in humility.
The father was waiting with open arms to restore his son....
not someone else’s son, but his son who wandered away and became lost.
I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. Luke 15:1
JLB