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Kim Shockley, Coordinator for Pathways of Spiritual Leadership
Sometimes during a meal, my husband, Gary, and I will have a lively conversation about Jesus’ stories and parables and what they may mean for us today. Recently, we were caught up in Luke 15: 1-7 where Jesus tells the first of the “lost” parables.
“Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” (Luke 15:1-7 NIV)
Granted, there are lots of sermon-making thoughts in this short parable, but considering that the sheep who was lost was originally part of the flock, causes me to reflect on what I’m often hearing from our congregation’s leaders now. The topic most often heard around the leadership table these days seems to be about how we get folks back into our worship services on Sunday morning. So, I thought it would be fun to unpack what the ninety-nine are talking about in regard to those who are considered lost.
The set up to this parable, verse 2, gives us some hints as to what the ninety-nine were talking about – the Pharisees and teachers of the law were grumbling – putting Jesus’ actions in a bad light, stirring up trouble, and generally sabotaging what Jesus was all about. Today, we hear statements like – “where is the pastor going, they haven’t visited me?” “Why aren’t these people back to worship? They spend too much time on their cell phones, and sports, and the convenience of online worship!” “Why can’t it be like it used to be?” While reminiscing, blame, and anger toward things we can’t control are all part of the grieving process, if we stay there, we will miss what God is doing around us! When the grumbling becomes the regular talk of the ninety-nine, then I wonder who needs to repent?
I’m thinking about another Old Testament story that is similar – when Moses went up the mountain to talk with God – he was gone for enough time for those “ninety-nine” to rebel and convince Aaron that a new god needed to be born. When Moses returned with God’s desires – those ten commandments – the people had formed a golden idol and completely sabotaged what God was doing. Instead of rejoicing over what had been found, Moses smashed the tablets and had to start over again!
So, what if we turned our thoughts and potential to action toward rejoicing! How can our ninety-nine begin to see that God is doing a new thing, and figure out how God wants to use us now? A big part of this shift will have to be what we talk about when we gather. First, who should be out looking for the lost? It is just the shepherd’s job now? Remember, we all have gifts that God wants to use to build up God’s Kingdom – is God calling you to action as a “sheep finder”? This would be rejoicing!
What if we understood that an on-line experience of worship is the right answer for some of our folks, and even other community people? What are the other opportunities for people to engage in the work of your congregation? What if a person is passionate about service, or small group study, or a prayer ministry – can we consider those things as valid expressions of Christian life and work, and an expression of their gifts! This would be rejoicing!
What if our conversation took us out to our community to discover our own reputation? What might we discover about the quality of our relationships within our community? If we are brave enough to ask, would we find out that we are known for grumbling or rejoicing? Are we known for the way we love and care for others or ourselves? Could we be brave enough to change our reputation by focusing on abundant Christian love that transforms lives wherever we go? This would be rejoicing!
