One stray: The question posed by the disciples is answered with the presence of a child, who, in the culture of the time, represents complete dependence. In other words, the kingdom of heaven is for those who are completely dependent on and fully trust in God. There is no one who is greater than anyone else. All authentic followers of Jesus are equally dependent on God.
To use a child as an example of authentic discipleship is shocking to great, dominant men! The child represents the exact opposite of the meaning of greatness. This, however, is Jesus’ way.
This teaching reduces all people to one common denominator, and it eliminates some of the strife that Matthew was encountering in his church. By reducing all persons to equality, he can hold together his fledgling community.
The parable of the lost sheep is used in Luke (15:3-7) to justify Jesus’ table fellowship with sinners. Matthew uses the parable to teach the members of his community that they have an obligation to seek out fellow members who go astray and, if possible, bring them back to the Church.
Typical of other parables of Jesus, the parable is extravagant insofar as no decent shepherd would leave ninety-nine sheep on a mountainside and go and search for one that had gone astray. However, the exaggeration serves to make the point: members of the Church cannot leave a fellow member, who, for whatever reason, wanders away from the community.