Luke 15:1-7 NKJV
“Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” So He spoke this parable to them, saying: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.”
Because of the mediums we’re using and marketing we’ve done, I would venture to say that most of the people reading or hearing this sermon today are already believers in Jesus Christ. And that’s not a bad thing. It’s unlikely many unbelievers would take the time to engage in our theological exercises without a bit of coaching, compelling and handholding. That’s exactly why it’s imperative that there are a few fellow believers specifically assigned to outreach and evangelism. Unless someone goes, how will the world know?
But all that coming and going has a way of making the rest of us nervous. Why aren’t they here? Won’t they get lost? What are they talking about? Who are they talking to? That’s because (like the Pharisees ) we love stability, sameness, tradition and control. And folk running around outside the sanctuary makes us somewhat anxious. Unless, of course, we are that lost sheep. (Aren’t you glad someone influenced you to come to Jesus. And for a huge amount of us, the invitation to salvation originally started outside a sanctuary.)
This morning let’s closely review this moment where Jesus was doing outreach, and see what we can learn. The scripture says, he found himself in the presence of criminals and sinners, yet had their full attention and support. Mind you, this wasn’t in a church, synagogue or temple. He was on enemy territory, taking care of Kingdom business. But the religious leaders took exception to his gathering. They had issue with him sharing with sinners. Their tradition demanded that he hold his teaching in the sanctuary, and surround himself with those that were righteous, or at least in right standing with the synagogue.
But Jesus answers with a rhetorical question whose meaning we can’t afford to miss. Jesus asked, “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? Though that may not relate to us non-shepherds today, the only answer to the inquiry of Christ to the religious elite of his day would’ve been, “no one”. Not one shepherd would allow even one sheep to be lost without diligently searching for them. His audience understood that, and all agreed that would be the appropriate action. But here’s where I had concern. Because I’m not a sheep -herder and don’t understand the inner workings of shepherding in that day and time, I wondered while the shepherd is away looking for the lost sheep, who is caring for the other 99? Aren’t they in jeopardy if the shepherd is gone. Won’t they eventually stray also?
But then the Word of the Lord (John 10:27-29) came to my remembrance. Jesus declared, My sheep recognize my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life and they shall never perish. No one shall snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else, so no one can kidnap them from me.
Dearest Children of God, while further discussion on this issue is needed, may it suffice this morning for us to understand that as much as we try and plan, plot, program, and strategize, ultimately it’s the Spirit of the Lord that does the work. He does the drawing. He does the compelling. Because of what Jesus placed in them (us), his sheep will stay right where he placed them. Don’t worry. They can handle being Home Alone.
God bless
