The parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin Luke 15:1-10
Imaginative Contemplation
Enter into the scene
‘Here we go again. Jesus is daring to speak with terrible sinners, and even eats with them!’ Will these so-called learned holy men ever be able to see the goodness in people, and not judge them? If I were Jesus, I would have given up ages ago. But not him. This is too important to ignore.
Yes, it is true that tax collectors and outcasts were coming to Jesus, listening to him and trying to act with better judgement and justice. And yes, they even dined together. Arguing with these critics is a waste of time, so Jesus, the great story-teller and teacher, tells them parables to make his meaning clear.
‘Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them – what does he do? He leaves the ninety-nine in the desert and goes after the one that got lost until he finds it. When he finds it, he is so happy that he puts it on his shoulders and carries it back home. Then he calls his friends and neighbours and says to them, ‘I’m so happy. I have found my lost sheep. Let us celebrate.’
Oh, there was muttering about this! What sensible man would leave ninety-nine sheep to go looking for just one? Better for one sheep to be lost rather than endanger them all. Is this man serious? And why on earth would you carry a heavy sheep on your shoulders? If it can’t walk, why not get rid of it? You still have the others.
Jesus raised his voice. ‘Just as the shepherd has looked after his lost sheep, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over the ninety-nine ‘respectable’ people who do not need to repent.’
I noticed the tax collectors who had heard all this. They were hugging each other in sheer joy. Here was Jesus accepting who they were, and offering them friendship and forgiveness. Each man felt that he was important to Jesus.
He hadn’t finished.
‘Suppose a woman who has ten silver coins loses one of them. Of course, she will light a lamp and sweep all the floors until she finds it. Every coin is important. She is not so rich that she doesn’t miss one. When eventually she finds the coin, she calls her friends together to share the good news. They rejoice with and for her. So, I tell you, the very angels in heaven rejoice over one sinner who turns back to God.
Did the tax collectors take heart at this message? Of course they did! Did the ‘important’ men really understand what Jesus was saying? They didn’t want to know.
For further reflection
Discuss with Jesus the following points:
· How open am I to the message God sends me every day?
· Do I allow people to change, or do I continue to judge them on earlier experiences?
· Am I willing to go after the one who is lost?
Prayer
Lord, teach me to be generous, to forgive those who have wronged me, to refuse to pass judgement on others when I do not know their motivation. Help me to welcome each person as a loved son or daughter of God. Amen.