Martha Hill Jamison, co-chair (with Bruce) of Transformed (stlukestransformed.org), occasional wanderer, and frequent stumbler. 

Matthew 18:12-14 (NRSV) – The Lost Sheep 

12 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? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14 So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.

 

Reflection:

I have never heard purer squeals of delight than those of my kids riding high on Bruce’s shoulders in a swimming pool. Is there any more authentic expression of love and joy? Only the rejoicing in heaven when the shepherd in Jesus’s parable finds his lost sheep. 

 

When I read this parable, I most often see myself as one of the dutiful ninety-nine sheep (a 99er), left on my own while the shepherd goes in search of the reckless, lost sinner (the 1). But, how often have I made bad choices? How often have I wandered—or just slept in? How often am I the one who is lost? Just as soon as I think I have it all together, I can be taken off-course by circumstances, inattention, arrogance, and just plain stupidity. It doesn’t matter how I got there—I still am lost. But, I am worthy of divine rescue, if only because God loves me. There is nothing I can do that will stop that love. And, nothing will dull the rejoicing in heaven when I return to God yet again.

St. Luke’s ministries on both our campuses include many 99ers, but we also have the opportunity to spread the gospel to those who don’t yet know Christ. Our Kingdom’s work is to help the shepherd find the 1. Is the 1 at our Contemporary Service? Is the 1 at a support group meeting? Will the 1 be at the new Gethsemane Community Center? There is no life so far gone that it cannot be restored by God. The 1s are worthy of divine rescue, if only because God also loves them–with fervor. The 1s will be found! And, God will joyfully carry the 1s home on His shoulders.

So, let’s prepare the celebration—the after-party! Let’s squeal with delight with the 1 who has found Christ. Let it be our purest expression of love and joy. Kick off your shoes! Untie your tie! Jump in the pool! Affirm the value of the 1, who was lost, and the 99, who stumble. All are welcomed home.

 

Prayer: 

Dear Shepherd, I thank you for pursuing me when I wander and loving me when I wander. Help me help those in the Gethsemane neighborhood who will have a ministry home through our Transformed campaign, whether they be 99ers or 1s. All are worthy of divine rescue because of your love. Let the after-party begin. Amen.

PS – Thanks to all who are supporting Transformed. Please consider joining us in building a Community Center for expanded ministry and sheep-finding.