Israel had some idea of God, maybe even worshiped regularly at the local synagogue or the temple in Jerusalem. Why would Jesus send His disciples to "the lost sheep of Israel?" The key word in answer to that question is "lost." They may have known about God to some degree yet they were not honoring Him with their hearts and lives. They were like "sheep without a Shepherd" (Matthew 9:36). They were confused, frightened, wandering around without purpose. They didn't know what was best for them. They were trapped by sin, bound by the traditions of men and suffering. God seems to choose to start with those that know something about Him. His commission was Jerusalem first, then Judah, Samaria and the outermost parts of the earth (Acts 1:7,8). Jerusalem was the center for the faith, Judah surrounded Jerusalem and was immediately influenced by it. Samaria was a country who worshiped the God of Jacob but mixed their faith with the worship of other gods. The outermost parts of the world were filled with people who worshiped other gods.

You do not have to look beyond your neighbors to find the "lost." Start sharing with them the happy news of Jesus Christ. The sought after will be found. Think about it.