The Parable of the Lost Sheep
Luke 15:1-7 New International Version (NIV)
"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 that over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not repent."
- - -
Have you have been the one? The one lost sheep, who either chose to separate from your "herd", got foolishly distracted, or who was separated against your will. Did you ever wonder if the other 99, knew you were missing? Did they care? Did the herd feel incomplete without you?
For me, the biggest questions at the heart of this parable are:
Do I matter?
Do you miss me?
Does anyone know I'm gone?
It was 2001. I was in a Bible study with a fabulous group of women. Close to 8 of us would meet every week, Bibles and Bible studies in hand. This particular summer we were reading and going through the book Search for Significance by Robert McGee. It was a deep study, filled every week with introspective questions that required deep and often uncomfortable thought. We had covered the performance trap, longing for the approval of others, sanctification and justification. Whoa! I remember one week very clearly. We would cover the study questions, discuss our answers, and close in prayer. This particular week had a question I was curious about. It was, "If you asked your friends to describe you, what would they say?" I had no idea what anyone would say. I knew what I would say about myself and others, but I had no clue as to what my friends thought about me or how they viewed me. Did they see the me I know or another Lindsay? I desperately wanted to know, to hear. I remember my heart starting to beat faster as we got close to the question. Then our leader said, "I think we can skip #3, because we each know what one another would say." Shattered and perplexed I thought to myself, "Huh?" I had no clue what anyone would say about me or if they even knew me enough to share any words about me.
I haven't had many friends in my life. I have spent the great part of the last 20 years praying for a close girlfriend, not many girlfriends, but one who would find me to be indispensable because of the best and the worst parts about me. A friend quick to laugh, quick to pray, and quick to value time together. My husband is undoubtably been my best friend, husband and stand-in girlfriend. Even though God didn't create him to be that last thing, he has done a pretty good job :)! When I look back at the last 20 years, and especially to that night we skipped over question #3, I see God interwoven throughout my days because for almost all of them He has been my only friend, that voice in the darkness, that voice of reason, that voice of hope, who joy's in my joy's. I hear him sing scripture over me and worship songs beautifully proclaim truth over my heart.
I have been his one. When there are 99 others who find comfort in the herd, in being close to one another, who are not lost, gone astray or distracted, I have been His one. And I know how He would answer question #3.
- - -
I have a Maker
He formed my heart
before even time began
my life was in His hands.
He knows My name
He know my every thought
He see each tear that falls and hears me when I call.
(He Knows My Name - Tommy Walker)
- - -
We had a young Christian football coach with us a few years back who couldn't understand why my husband would spend so much time with the "one". He actually told Brian, this was one of his greatest coaching downfalls. Among may things, I don't think this coach read this passage correctly and mistakenly thought God would leave the one for the well being of the 99. I can't imagine trusting or loving a God who would do that. Maybe that coach had never been the "one." Maybe he lived a life short on grace - short to receive it, making him short in expressing it to others in need. Had he never been detestable, and then in the midst of his own wretchedness, not found the rescue of God?
When I look back over our years with football, I think my husband's relentless pursuit of that hurting, offensive, lonely football player was, in fact, his team's best glimpse into what the love of God looks and feels like. The perusal, because you are worth it. The steadfast love when you are at your lowest and most deterrent self. The person in your corner who won't throw in the towel on you, who sees you for what you really are, buffered and softened by love, forgiveness, and grace. To know those things, is to know the love of God.
The lost sheep when found, add up. They matter, immensely. And they are the people and the players that remain and always keep in touch with us. Grace extended, grace received, penetrates, it is unforgettable.
For the questions that raise my deepest curiosity in this parable:
Do I matter?
Do you miss me?
Does anyone know I'm gone?
I am in awe of a God that I love and serve, know, and wander away from, who at any given moment, knows when I have stepped out of sight, and because I matter and am packed full with value, He doesn't waste a moment in retrieving me, hoisting me up on His shoulders and celebrating that He has found me and I am well and secured in His embrace. Rejoice!
The reluctance my husband's former colleague had to follow hid leadership in this area of football ministry has long troubled me. Perhaps, it's because, this parable perfectly portrays Christ's purpose. Sinners in need of a Savior, saved by Christ's death on a cross. We have been found!
- - -
Free at last, He has ransomed me
His love runs deep
When I was a slave to sin,
Jesus, died for me
I am chosen
Not Forsaken
I am who you say I am
You are for me
Not against me
I am who you say I am
I am a child of God
Yes, I am
(Who You Say I Am - Hillsong Worship)
- - -
"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 that over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not repent."
- - -
Have you have been the one? The one lost sheep, who either chose to separate from your "herd", got foolishly distracted, or who was separated against your will. Did you ever wonder if the other 99, knew you were missing? Did they care? Did the herd feel incomplete without you?
For me, the biggest questions at the heart of this parable are:
Do I matter?
Do you miss me?
Does anyone know I'm gone?
It was 2001. I was in a Bible study with a fabulous group of women. Close to 8 of us would meet every week, Bibles and Bible studies in hand. This particular summer we were reading and going through the book Search for Significance by Robert McGee. It was a deep study, filled every week with introspective questions that required deep and often uncomfortable thought. We had covered the performance trap, longing for the approval of others, sanctification and justification. Whoa! I remember one week very clearly. We would cover the study questions, discuss our answers, and close in prayer. This particular week had a question I was curious about. It was, "If you asked your friends to describe you, what would they say?" I had no idea what anyone would say. I knew what I would say about myself and others, but I had no clue as to what my friends thought about me or how they viewed me. Did they see the me I know or another Lindsay? I desperately wanted to know, to hear. I remember my heart starting to beat faster as we got close to the question. Then our leader said, "I think we can skip #3, because we each know what one another would say." Shattered and perplexed I thought to myself, "Huh?" I had no clue what anyone would say about me or if they even knew me enough to share any words about me.
I haven't had many friends in my life. I have spent the great part of the last 20 years praying for a close girlfriend, not many girlfriends, but one who would find me to be indispensable because of the best and the worst parts about me. A friend quick to laugh, quick to pray, and quick to value time together. My husband is undoubtably been my best friend, husband and stand-in girlfriend. Even though God didn't create him to be that last thing, he has done a pretty good job :)! When I look back at the last 20 years, and especially to that night we skipped over question #3, I see God interwoven throughout my days because for almost all of them He has been my only friend, that voice in the darkness, that voice of reason, that voice of hope, who joy's in my joy's. I hear him sing scripture over me and worship songs beautifully proclaim truth over my heart.
I have been his one. When there are 99 others who find comfort in the herd, in being close to one another, who are not lost, gone astray or distracted, I have been His one. And I know how He would answer question #3.
- - -
I have a Maker
He formed my heart
before even time began
my life was in His hands.
He knows My name
He know my every thought
He see each tear that falls and hears me when I call.
(He Knows My Name - Tommy Walker)
- - -
We had a young Christian football coach with us a few years back who couldn't understand why my husband would spend so much time with the "one". He actually told Brian, this was one of his greatest coaching downfalls. Among may things, I don't think this coach read this passage correctly and mistakenly thought God would leave the one for the well being of the 99. I can't imagine trusting or loving a God who would do that. Maybe that coach had never been the "one." Maybe he lived a life short on grace - short to receive it, making him short in expressing it to others in need. Had he never been detestable, and then in the midst of his own wretchedness, not found the rescue of God?
When I look back over our years with football, I think my husband's relentless pursuit of that hurting, offensive, lonely football player was, in fact, his team's best glimpse into what the love of God looks and feels like. The perusal, because you are worth it. The steadfast love when you are at your lowest and most deterrent self. The person in your corner who won't throw in the towel on you, who sees you for what you really are, buffered and softened by love, forgiveness, and grace. To know those things, is to know the love of God.
The lost sheep when found, add up. They matter, immensely. And they are the people and the players that remain and always keep in touch with us. Grace extended, grace received, penetrates, it is unforgettable.
(A found sheep)
For the questions that raise my deepest curiosity in this parable:
Do I matter?
Do you miss me?
Does anyone know I'm gone?
I am in awe of a God that I love and serve, know, and wander away from, who at any given moment, knows when I have stepped out of sight, and because I matter and am packed full with value, He doesn't waste a moment in retrieving me, hoisting me up on His shoulders and celebrating that He has found me and I am well and secured in His embrace. Rejoice!
The reluctance my husband's former colleague had to follow hid leadership in this area of football ministry has long troubled me. Perhaps, it's because, this parable perfectly portrays Christ's purpose. Sinners in need of a Savior, saved by Christ's death on a cross. We have been found!
Free at last, He has ransomed me
His love runs deep
When I was a slave to sin,
Jesus, died for me
Not Forsaken
I am who you say I am
You are for me
Not against me
I am who you say I am
I am a child of God
Yes, I am
(Who You Say I Am - Hillsong Worship)
- - -
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