The lost sheep of God’s people
Upon selecting the twelve men who would be His closest companions, His most devoted students and the foundational stones for His church, Jesus sent His apostles out to preach, but only to a select group of people. They were not to go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, but only “to the lost 
sheep of the house of Israel” (Matt. 10:1-6). “House of Israel” was a favorite expression of the prophets (especially Ezekiel) to speak of God’s people, the Jews.
Wait a minute! If “the house of Israel” was God’s people, then why did Jesus call them “lost”? Even though the Jews had enjoyed favor and “a-special-treasure-above-all-the-peoples” relationship with God, many of them had wandered away from their God (like wandering sheep). The apostles’ first assignment was to go to God’s lost people and get them to repent and return.
In our efforts today to save souls, let us be ever mindful of “the lost sheep of the house of God.” May we reach out to brothers and sisters who have strayed and urge them to repent and return.