one vs. ninety-nine

Matthew 18:10-14

Jesus comes full circle here. He started by talking about taking the position of a little child in regards to humility. He promised that he would look after those who took that position, taking action against those who caused his humble ones to stumble. He warned his disciples to make sure that it was not their own hand, foot or eye that was causing the stumbling in their own life or in someone else. Now he sums it all up by saying, "Make sure that you do not look down on one of my humble ones." Again, I have to think that the argument the disciples were having about who was the greatest in the kingdom would be ringing in their ears at this point. By taking the position as the most important, they were looking down on their fellow disciples and causing them to stumble.
Jesus drives the point home with a parable about a shepherd who has one hundred sheep but loses one. The shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to fend for themselves and goes after the one who is lost. Jesus is teaching his disciples that the humble ones are that important to the Father. He will leave the proud, the self-sufficient, the crowd to fend for themselves while he goes after the humble one who is lost. This parallels Jesus' teaching in other places: the first will be last and the last will be first. The proud will become low and the humble will be exalted.
So, if I am to have the heart of Jesus in this matter I must first become humble and then I must serve the humble ones. Finally, I must leave the place of comfort and safety and pursue other humble ones, wherever they may be lost... even in jr. high youth ministry.