Love Story

October 2007

Jesus told bedtime stories. The one I have in mind makes me want to scrunch under the covers, settle contentedly and float into an untroubled sleep.

This story is about a lost sheep and was prompted by Jewish teachers’ complaints that Jesus welcomed sinners. That he even ate with them!

To make sure his accusers understood why he did that, Jesus told a story about a man who had one hundred sheep. “When he loses one, he doesn’t merely shrug his shoulders and take a nap,” Jesus implied. “Won’t he search until he finds it? Won’t he carry it home on his shoulders and explode with joy to his neighbors?”

Then he delivered the punch line. “There is more rejoicing in heaven over the one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”

Abandoned people often see their souls as gritty and stained. So they may price themselves as three for a quarter, thrift store merchandise.

Imagine you are the lost sheep in Jesus’ story. Yes, you did wander away. But Jesus states publicly that he’ll go to any extent to find you and bring you home. Even though I did it because I was stubborn and stupid,  you’d drop everything to come get me? You wouldn’t write me off or think that I didn’t matter? You wouldn’t give up on me?  When you found me,  you’d  pick me  up,  hold me safe and sing: “I have found my lost sheep”?

Pray meditatively about what you’ve learned. Here are the kinds of thoughts that may come to mind. I keep wandering away and getting lost—even though I know better. It’s hard for me to remember that you love me enough to bring me back. That you’ll keep on my trail and  scoop me up in your arms.  

Practice God’s love.  Put yourself in Jesus’ story. Play the role of the lost sheep. Imagine the Son of God climbing over rocks and down gullies. Freeze frame the moment he finds you bleating and waggling to be rescued.  Feel yourself scooped up in his arms. Hear him shout with joy in chorus with the angels in heaven. See him take you back to the sheepfold where you are safe. Now ask Jesus to go in search of other lost sheep just like you. (Luke 15:7)

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August 2007