The parable of the Lost Sheep in Luke 15:1-7 is one of my favorite Bible passages. But I recently read it and it brought me up short.

Normally, I read this parable and see myself as the lost sheep for whom Jesus leaves everything to rescue. Oh, that always feels so good. To think that God would leave everyone else to come and find me when I am lost, or hurting, or in need in any way. Of course, this is true, Jesus actually says this. But it is also a somewhat self-centered reading. It is indeed all about God and me and how God’s grace and love are poured out for me. All true, all true…but not the only story here.

When Jesus told this parable, tax collectors and sinners were in the audience. These we might consider to be the lost sheep. But there were also Pharisees and scribes in the audience, what we might call today, “good church people.” They are likely represented by the 99 sheep in the parable. And do we ever ask how the 99 sheep are feeling? What is going through their mind as they watch Jesus leave them “in the wilderness” to go off searching for that one lost sheep? I can just imagine the conversation among those 99 sheep.

“Baa, where is he going? What is he doing? Wait a minute. Hey Shepherd, you can’t just leave us here in the wilderness. What kind of a shepherd are you, anyway, that you would leave your flock?”

“Baaaa, that lost sheep is irresponsible anyway. He is always wandering off. He deserves whatever happens for his bad behavior. He made his bed, let him sleep in it.”

Sometimes I react like I imagine the 99 sheep do. It’s great when God’s grace is poured out on me, or those of whom I approve. But how do I react when God’s blessing is poured out upon someone of whom I don’t approve? Oh, Lord forgive me.

Jesus ends this parable with the following statement. “Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”

Whoa, imagine how the Pharisees and scribes felt hearing that. They strived every day to do the right things, to follow all the laws and commandments, so as not to need repentance, Now, here is Jesus saying there is more joy in heaven over the irresponsible, the sinner, who knows what they should be doing but doesn’t follow through and finally repents. I can just hear the teeth grinding.

What can I learn by seeing myself as one of the 99 sheep, or a Pharisee, and examining what I learn from this parable from that perspective? Shouldn’t I be overjoyed with all of heaven? Shouldn’t I be celebrating? Yes, I should!

The next time I think of people who I (in all my high-mindedness) don’t approve of, I will try to see them as the one lost sheep, and myself as one of the 99. Maybe I can imagine myself saying to the shepherd, “You go, shepherd. Find that lost sheep. That sheep needs you and we will be okay here on our own for a little bit. Go, Shepherd Jesus, and bring her home.”

God Baaaaless you,
Coe