"The Ninety And Nine"
How think ye? if a man have a hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?
And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.
Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
This parable from the Bible serves as a profound illustration of divine mercy and compassion. Jesus likens God to a shepherd, suggesting that the Almighty's care extends equally to each individual soul. The shepherd's willingness to leave the ninety-nine sheep to search for the one that has wandered off highlights the value placed on every single being. This story underlines the concept that God's love is inclusive and relentless, aiming to bring everyone back into the fold. The rejoicing over the found sheep underscores the joy in redemption and salvation. It emphasizes the idea that no one is insignificant or beyond reach, reflecting the divine will that none should be lost. Thus, the parable conveys a message of hope and reassurance regarding God's unwavering love for all His creations.
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