Read: Luke 15:1-7
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? (v. 4)
Something to consider when we read scripture is where we situate ourselves in the story. Our assumed vantage point might change our conclusion, and considering more than one can be a useful way to see the variety of interpretations that are possible with any text of scripture.
For the lost sheep, its key need is to be found and to rejoin the flock. As people we require some community, and even moreso we need Christ and the loving community of the church. If we take this vantage point it is worth wondering whether the sheep knows it’s lost at all? Could we be lost and not know it?
If we take the vantage point of the 99 sheep, we have the responsibility of being the community even while the shepherd is away. Of course, Christ is always with us in the church, but as a church (and with the help of the Holy Spirit) part of our task is to keep others, or even our whole community, from becoming lost.
Finally, if we are the shepherd we can learn that we have a responsibility to seek out the lost. However, it may be that this parable is not just about saving souls, but is also a call to rescue those who are in danger. Perhaps as shepherds we should also seek those who are ostracized and excluded from community. As we seek the lost we should ask both “who has wondered or gone astray?” and “who have we (willingly or unwittingly) excluded from our community?” Indeed, this is the question Jesus leads the Pharisees to ask.
We may occupy these at different times or occupy more than one at once, but no community can be the body of Christ without engaging them all in some form. As a community, let us strive to reach those who are lost and excluded, support those in the community, and continually ask whether we have lost our way.
Lord, seek us when we are lost, strengthen us when we are found, and empower us to seek the lost and afraid in our midst. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Leave a Reply