Matthew 18:12 says, “If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying?”

Now, most of us like to think we’re part of the ninety-nine—faithful, steady, right where we’re supposed to be. But if we’re honest, we’ve all been that one sheep at some point—wandering off, distracted by something that looked better than it was, stuck in a ditch of our own making.

And yet, Jesus comes looking. He doesn’t say, “Well, that one should’ve known better.” He doesn’t cut His losses and focus on the ones who stayed put. No, He leaves the ninety-nine to find the one, because every single sheep matters.

That means you matter. Even when you’ve messed up. Even when you feel lost. Even when you think you’ve wandered too far. Jesus is still searching, still calling your name, still ready to carry you back on His shoulders.

So if you’re lost, stop running. If you’re found, don’t forget what it was like to be lost. And if you see a lost sheep, don’t stand there judging—join Jesus in bringing them home. Because grace isn’t just for the ninety-nine. It’s for the one. And at some point, we’ve all been the one.