Luke 15:1-7
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. Luke 15:1-7 (NIV)
I’ve always found this an interesting parable. Not just the lost sheep but the last verse - who is a righteous person? How does one know? Isn’t it arrogant to think I have no need to repent? My easy answer is probably, but I don’t feel super qualified to speak to that particular conundrum.
I do feel blessed knowing as a sheep who sins and is lost that Jesus cares so much for me he’ll “leave” the others. But I wonder what the 99 were thinking?
I can just hear the bleating in lost sheep voices; “He left us!” “Oh my what are we going to do?” “What if the wolf comes?”
That is what I imagine happens to sheep. I know it happens with people. And if you’ve been in a large group or a group project where the ‘leader’ left, you’ve seen it too. Oftentimes it leads to chaos and confusion. It can also turn into a case of finger pointing - “well he said…” or “she told me…”
Usually someone steps up and says, “it’s okay, I know what to do” or words to that effect. And all the ‘sheeple’ turn toward that person and sigh in relief. They may still feel lost but at least they know they aren’t alone.
This “knowing” can be difficult to remember so Jesus provides a Pastor, a good friend or even a devotion to remind us we do have someone with us, someone always looking for us. Even when it feels like Jesus is out looking for the one sheep, and has forgotten us, we know it’s not true - Jesus did not and will never abandon us. Jesus is with us always AND Jesus is also with the other 99 sheep.
Questions for Reflection:
- What does “righteousness” mean to me?
- Who reminds me I am not alone when I feel lost or left behind?
- How do I remind others when they feel alone or forgotten?
Prayer:
Lord, I am sinful and lost, thank You for sending Jesus to find me, forgive me and save me. Amen
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