Dearest e-votees-
On this day that is so deeply burned into our memories as a nation it is good to remember that we have a God who never forgets us.
Peace,
Karl
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1 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to [Jesus]. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3 So he told them this parable: 4 “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? 5 When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. 6 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.’ 7 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.”
8 “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? 9 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.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
The parables aren't really about a sheep or a coin. They aren't even so much about what the sheep and the coin represent (that would be sinners and tax collectors which would extend to us were we honest enough to own our fallen nature). These parables are about what the tenacious shepherd and the tenacious woman represent (that would be God).
The religious folks are looking askance at Jesus' dining partners. Jesus brings up these stories about how much humans can pursue livestock and coins. The rhetoric is from the lesser to the greater. If we can doggedly pursue something in our human frames, how much more doggedly can God pursue one that is dear to God? Some have even likened God to a hound of heaven:
Jesus came down into the world to pursue all who would come. He went after those on the fringes who stood off skeptically. Jesus went into the wilderness and lit the lamp and swept the floor diligently. And through his searching and ministering there is much rejoicing in heaven.
These two parables set the stage for the parable of the prodigal. God pursues the errant son running out to greet him. The good news that is for us and for all is that God will never forget us. On a day full of sadness and mourning or when we stray into the wilderness or get lost in the cracks in the darkness or wander off in sin God pursues us.
God, help us stop running and hiding. Bring us home to the party in heaven. Amen.
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