Matthew 10:6
“Rather, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
What does Matthew 10:6 mean?
Jesus is sending out his disciples on their first mission, and he's directing them to focus on the Jewish people first. The "lost sheep" is his tender way of describing people who feel spiritually adrift, disconnected, or without proper guidance, like sheep wandering without a shepherd. In that moment in history, he wanted his followers to begin their work among their own community, the house of Israel, before the message would eventually spread to other nations. It's a beautiful image that reminds us Jesus cares deeply about people who feel lost or forgotten, and it shows he sent his followers out with a specific purpose: to seek and help those who need spiritual restoration most.