Hi JPT,
When I was new in the faith, I am told to have a Bible Study at my own and suggested to use the basic method which considers the ff:
- To whom the passage is talking about?
- Who is being spoken to the passage?
- What do the particular word/phrase represents?
- Where it did happen? etc…etc…
First thing first, what you have brought was not the entire passage and look it was started in verse 4 where it doesn’t mentioned the very basic information we need to understand the parable. Then it being quoted only an incomplete 2 verses heard in Jesus lips to focus the attention. Nevertheless, seems to me that yours leads to an eisigesis and not it exegesis. Now let me quote in the entire passage to be able to understand fully the context and apply basics in studying the scriptures.
Luke 15:1-7
1Then drew near unto him all the
publicans and sinners for to hear him.
2And the
Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
3And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
4What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine
in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
5And when he hath found
it, he layeth
it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6And when he cometh home, he calleth together
his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
7I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one
sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine
just persons, which need no repentance.
- Who is speaking? No doubt it’s Christ.
- To whom Christ is speaking about this parable? Well, verse 3, says “unto them”
- Who are these “unto them”? They were the publicans (tax collectors) and sinners (outcast) but the Pharisees (self-righteous) and the scribes were also there.
- What does the one (1) sheep described and represents? According to Jesus, this sheep was lost but it was found and this represent the “sinner that repenteth.”
- What does the ninety and nine (99) described and represents? They were in the wilderness and they were persons which need no repentance perhaps they were the Pharisees who are self-righteous. Actually in the bible, Jesus addressed the Pharisees as righteous..
- So, your question seems to be tricky but actually is very simple and it can be answered right away. The lost sheep which represent the sinner that repented therefore is saved.
- Are the ninety and nine saved? No. Take note however, that these sheep altogether 1+99 =100 were both in the wilderness. They were not in the green pasture.