Lost and found (again)
by Neil Bergmann
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And if he finds [the lost sheep], truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off (Matthew 18:13).
Read Matthew 18:10–20
Today is another parable – this time about the lost sheep. In Luke’s Gospel, this same parable appears next to the parable of the prodigal son we looked at a few days ago. In Luke, the parable is situated in Jesus’ response to the Pharisees about why he spends time with sinners (the lost ones). In Matthew, the parable is linked to the teaching about children and the kingdom of God.
In Luke, the lost sheep represents people society considers sinners, but Jesus has a special love for. In Matthew, the same story explains God’s special care for children and, by extension, all who need special care and compassion. Parables speak to each of us in different ways, and we may see different messages for ourselves at different times in our lives. They are a mirror that reflects what is in our hearts.
How do you see yourself in the parable? Are you a lost sheep who hopes the good shepherd can find you? Are you the ninety-nine left on the mountain, wondering where the shepherd has gone? Are you the shepherd trying to decide whether to go after the lost sheep or to stay with the rest of the flock?
The parable also has strong messages about how we should live as God’s people in our church communities. Are we a place where children love to spend time and where they feel they are valued? Are we a place that is welcoming, or do newcomers feel like outsiders? Are we like the ninety-nine sheep, staying up on the mountain, waiting for God to bring the lost ones back to us, or are we out there, helping minister to the lost?
There are no right answers and no single correct interpretation of these parables. Instead, they invite us to spend time reflecting on what the kingdom of God means for us.
Good Shepherd, we are sometimes lost and unsure of where you are or where we are going. Rescue us because we can do nothing to rescue ourselves. Amen.
Neil Bergmann worships at Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Rochedale, Queensland. He enjoys being part of the monthly Messy Church worship that provides a welcoming, interactive, intergenerational form of church.
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