Warren Fisher, Genesis Sunday School Co-Leader, Member since 1988, 6th Generation Texan 

Matthew 18:10-14 (NRSV)
“Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven.  What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?  And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray.  So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.

Reflection:
I am a descendant of Texas ranchers. My father was born on the family ranch near the aptly named Hill Country town of Utopia, where my grandparents and great-grandparents raised cattle and sometimes sheep. As a child and young adult, I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to visit my grandparents regularly. Although I have lived my entire life in the big city, I feel a close connection to my rural roots, and I return to Utopia whenever I can.

One benefit of my experience is that when I read this and other Bible passages about sheep and shepherds, I can picture my grandfather and his brother tending their sheep. I can recall going out into the pasture with my grandfather. The sheep would quickly come to him, knowing he was the source of their food and care. Some of the sheep were a little bigger or smaller than the others, and a few had some distinguishing marks, but to me, they mostly looked the same. I couldn’t even count them accurately as they milled about. But my grandfather could! He knew each one as an individual. I have a particularly vivid memory of my uncle tending an injured ewe—he knew just which animal needed attention, quickly pulled her from the milling flock, and applied the treatment to her wound. I regret that my children—and so many others raised as city-dwellers—do not have the same experiences and cannot conjure the same vivid images I can. 

For those who heard Jesus speak these words, the images were no doubt even more meaningful, and perhaps more complicated. The image of God as the Good Shepherd is an ancient one, but in Jesus’ time, actual human shepherds were often outcasts with whom no self-respecting person would associate. Likewise, “little ones”—literally children but also figuratively new believers—were likely to be seen as insignificant, if they were noticed at all. Thus, Jesus’ message is disruptive in several ways and speaks to us on several levels. At times, we may need to be reminded of the importance of the lost, the outcasts, and the little ones—all of whom are objects of God’s deep affection and care. At other times, we may be the shepherd, called to pursue the lost. Or we ourselves may be the lost ones, in need of assurance that the Good Shepherd is pursuing us and wants us to return.

Whatever image this parable brings to your mind, know that the fundamental message is of God’s extravagant love for every single soul in his creation, even those who may have strayed far from the flock.  And God expects us to have the same love and concern for ALL our neighbors and to rejoice with him when each lost one is found.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, I am so grateful for the care and concern you have for me. Open my heart and hands to be the instruments of your care to all my neighbors. Amen.