Lost Sheep

Now all the tax-collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, ‘This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.’ So he told them this parable: ‘Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance. ‘Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, “Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.” Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.’ Luke 15:1-10

Caring for sheep is a demanding job. They like to wander and not follow directions. Most shepherds have loyal, well-trained dogs who help keep the sheep in line and safe. Border Collies and other working dogs respond to the whistles and calls of the shepherd, getting the wandering safely home again. Jesus tells this series of stories to the religious leaders who were grumbling about the people he chose to hang with. Jesus ate with and welcomed sinners, and they were horrified. And yet, he uses images of lost sheep and a lost coin to illustrate the love of God for those who have gone astray and returned home safely. God is always seeking out the lost and gathering us in and bringing us home.

Gracious Creator, seeker of the lost

you desire not to punish the wanderer

you do not want to scold our mistakes

but gather us up and bring us all home.

We often think we can do as we please

until we find ourselves in strange places

until we find ourselves without direction

and then we cry and bleat like lost sheep.

Help us today to hear your call to return

help us to see those who are lost as family

give us all your strength and compassion

so we might reach out to the lost today. Amen.