"The Lost Sheep Christ did not at this time remind His hearers of the words of Scripture. He appealed to the witness of their own experience. The wide-spreading tablelands on the east of Jordan afforded abundant pasturage for flocks, and through the gorges and over the wooded hills had wandered many a lost sheep, to be searched for and brought back by the shepherd's care. In the company about Jesus there were shepherds, and also men who had money invested in flocks and herds, and all could appreciate His illustration: “What man of you , having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?” COL 186"
"What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?"
The EGW passage directly quotes Luke 15:4 and provides context for the parable of the lost sheep.
"How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?"
The EGW passage references the parable of the lost sheep, which is found in both Luke 15:4 and Matthew 18:12. While the EGW passage quotes Luke, the thematic connection to Matthew is also valid.
"It angered them also that those who showed only contempt for the rabbis and who were never seen in the synagogues should flock about Jesus and listen with rapt attention to His words. The scribes and Pharisees felt only condemnation in that pure presence; how was it, then, that publicans and sinners were drawn to Jesus? COL 186.1"
"Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?"
Both passages touch on the lack of belief in Jesus among the rulers and Pharisees. EGW explains the anger of the scribes and Pharisees at the common people flocking to Jesus, while John 7:48 poses a rhetorical question about whether any of the rulers or Pharisees have believed in him. The connection is thematic, highlighting the division between the religious leaders and the common people in their response to Jesus.
"They knew not that the explanation lay in the very words they had uttered as a scornful charge, “This man receiveth sinners.” The souls who came to Jesus felt in His presence that even for them there was escape from the pit of sin. The Pharisees had only scorn and condemnation for them; but Christ greeted them as children of God, estranged indeed from the Father's house, but not forgotten by the Father's heart. And their very misery and sin made them only the more the objects of His compassion. The farther they had wandered from Him, the more earnest the longing and the greater the sacrifice for their rescue. COL 186.2"
"And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them."
The EGW passage directly quotes and elaborates on the Pharisees' statement in Luke 15:2, making a clear connection.
"And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples."
The EGW passage directly addresses the criticism leveled at Jesus for associating with sinners, which is the core issue in Matthew 9:10. While not a direct quote, it expands on the context and implications of the verse.
"All this the teachers of Israel might have learned from the sacred scrolls of which it was their pride to be the keepers and expounders. Had not David written—David, who had fallen into deadly sin—“I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Thy servant”? Psalm 119:176 . Had not Micah revealed God's love to the sinner, saying, “Who is a God like unto Thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retaineth not His anger forever, because He delighteth in mercy”? Micah 7:18 . COL 186.3"
"I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments."
Ellen White directly references Psalms 119:176 in this passage.
"Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy."
Ellen White directly references Micah 7:18 in this passage.