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The prophet Ezekiel pictured Yahweh as a shepherd caring for Israel, his scattered flock: "For thus says the Lord God: I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out."
“As shepherds seek out their flocks when they are among their scattered sheep, so I will seek out my sheep… . I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak.” (Ezekiel 34:11-12, 16)
Drawing on this biblical tradition, Jesus used the image of a shepherd searching for his lost sheep to describe God’s love for those who have strayed. No one listening to this parable would have found it difficult to identify the straying sheep—they were the very people with whom Jesus was associating.
This wasn’t the only time Jesus countered criticism from the Pharisees for embracing sinners and outcasts. On one occasion, Jesus told them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I…
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