Lost Sheep?

I heard a pastor recently make a "preaching boo-boo". In referring to the story of the lost sheep in Luke 15, this pastor stated, "think about leaving the ninety-nine sheep in their pin to rescue the one lost sheep". I know this seems like a small thing but for some reason it bothered me. "Their pin", I thought. Here are the verses in the message version from Luke 15: 1-7:

"Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn't you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, and saying, 'Celebrate with me! I've found my sheep!' Count on it-there's more joy in heaven over one sinner's rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue."

Wow, this has a much bigger impact. Leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, not in a pin? I have seen pictures of the landscape in this area, it's not a perfectly manicured lush green grassy landscape. No, it is rather rocky with small cliffs scattered about. Not a place you'd want to leave your ninety-nine. Also, there is the potential for predators and thieves who could find your ninety-nine extremely appealing. Bottom line is, the risk is so much greater leaving them in the wilderness then in a pin.

Please don't miss the essence of these verses. Jesus wants us to know that there is a party in Heaven when a "sinner's life is rescued". This happened when I was saved and it happened when you were saved. Unless, of course, you are not saved. But Heaven is ready to have a party in your name. I heard a pastor many years ago say it this way, "when you accept Jesus as your personal savior, a huge banner is hung in Heaven with your name on it, and all of Heaven celebrates for you".