Jump Start # 205

Luke 15:4 “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?”

  This passage begins the threefold series of parables that define God and illustrate the grace and salvation in Jesus Christ. Lost sheep, lost coin and lost sons—there are some similarities and some differences.

  First, the similarities: in all three parables something of value was lost. Also, there is an effort to find that which was lost. And then there was great rejoicing when the lost was found.

  The differences: sheep tend to wander off on their own. They don’t pay attention to the rest of the flock and through carelessness or unawareness become lost. The coin was lost because of someone else. Coins are lifeless and they remain wherever we put them. The prodigal was lost because of his choice—rebellion. All three were lost, but by different ways. So it is today. Some are lost simply because they have not paid attention to that which will keep them saved. They have wandered off with out realizing it. Others, like the coin, have been hurt by others. The neglect of others have caused them to become estranged from God. I think about the children and young people whose parents give up on God and no longer worship and then they grow up in the wilderness of being lost. Then there are those that just defy God and fight God’s ways and walk away in rebellion. All three were lost. The results are the same.

  In our passage today, as Jesus tells the story of the lost sheep, He begins with a question, “what man among you…” would not leave 99 sheep to find the one lost sheep? Actually, I think most would not. Unless the shepherd had the 99 in safe hands, or other helpers to watch over them, this was a recipe for disaster. If the shepherd worked alone, and left 99 to find the one, when he returned, he may have 99 that are now lost. The clasp of thunder, the howl of a wolf, an uncertain sound could send terror throughout the flock and they could scatter looking for the shepherd. No, most in Jesus’ time, would not leave the 99. They would count their losses and shepherd 99. That happens.

  But in this parable, the shepherd, God, leaves the 99 to look for the one. Each one is of value. Saving the majority at the cost of losing a few is unacceptable to God. God wants all safe and will search until He finds the lost.

  I’m glad God is like this. Churches need to be more like this. It’s not the majority, it’s every soul that counts. Some of us are wanderers and we need constant watching. We don’t pay attention to detail nor where we are, and that gets us in trouble. Thankfully, we have a shepherd who loves us so much.

  Most of Jesus’ parables tend to be upside down an inside out to the thinking of the people. The reason is, God’s kingdom is not like the kingdom of the world, it’s better. God does things differently than we do.

  God is always looking out for you. And when you get too far away, God’s out looking for you.  I’m thankful for that. God never gives up on us.

Roger