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.' Luke 15:5-6
Jesus was often accused by the religious of hanging around with the wrong kind of people. One time when He was challenged He shared three similar stories, they all involved loss and they all involved joy.
In the first story a shepherd leaves 99 sheep to search for one. In the second story a woman searches desperately to find one of ten coins. And in the third story a son walks away from his father. In each case the loss is personal, Jesus again made it clear that He preferred to focus on the lost sheep rather than those that thought they had it all together.
Each story ends with joy. The sheep and the coin are found, and the son returns. Those that had lost something become full of joy and it spreads as they invite others to rejoice with them.
Leaving 99 sheep to search for one is a risk. Waiting hopefully for a lost son puts your heart at risk. Jesus identified Himself and His own intentions as He described the shepherd, the woman, and the father. The challenge for us is whether we will cut our losses or risk our heart, time or reputation for others who are lost.
Sounds like a risky and uncomfortable life. Especially for a guy who’d rather go barefoot than look for socks. Imagine always having that look like you’ve lost something. But there’s hope – all three stories ended with a party.
It helps me to remember that I was lost. I have been lost in anger, loneliness, bitterness, self-pity and sin. Without Jesus I would be lost.
What risk are you willing to take?
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