Luke 15:1-7
Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem where
everything will come to a climax. Along the way, he encounters all kinds of
people—some with earnest, heart-questions; some attempting to undermine Jesus’
broad portrayal of God’s love.
In the passage today, those pesky
Pharisees and Teachers of the Law are questioning Jesus’ welcome to and
association with “tax-collectors and sinners.” They remark that “he even eats
with them.” Woah. But, from their worldview, that was just one burger (or
kebob) too far.
Jesus responds with not one, not two,
but with three parables. As far as I know, no where in the Gospels does Jesus
react or respond so forcefully. The parables are about “lostness”—and being lost.
The first (in the reading for this Sunday) is about a lost sheep. The second concerns
a lost coin. And, the third focuses on a lost son. In each case, the object of
lostness—a sheep, a coin, a son—is found and there is great rejoicing.
While the parables are all about lost
things/peoples, the listeners themselves are lost. The tax-collectors are lost
in the web of greed and the machinations of the Roman occupiers. The “sinners”
are lost in their own selfishness or egotism, have wandered away from God. The
Pharisees and Teachers of the Law are lost in their own narrow, tunnel-vision
world that prevents them from seeing people as people, and all of them loved of
God.
In the 21st Century, we don’t
get lost so much geographically—our smartphones keep us on the right road and
give us plenty of warning about upcoming turns. But we still get lost. We get lost
in online
apps, in partisan television news, in social and theological issues. And, we
get lost inside ourselves…in fears, comparisons, and compulsions.
“Lost”
in Scripture is when we are away from God. We are “found” when we are with God.
Away from God, not listening to God, not walking with God, not talking with
God—Lost. Striving to hear God, walking with God, moving towards God, listening
to God—Found.
In this encounter and in the parables Jesus
tells here, good news comes in several ways. First, all are welcome to come to
Jesus. He’ll sit and talk and share his french-fries with anyone. Then, no
matter how lost we become, the Shepherd is looking for us…and won’t give up
until we’re found—we matter that much to God. Finally, we all know someone who
is lost. The Shepherd is looking for her or him as well…and won’t give up until
he/she is found. We can rest in this—the broad, open, searching, welcoming love
of God…forever, for everyone. Amen.
Sunday, March 23, 2025
“Towards Jerusalem: Lost and Found”
Watch/Listen: HERE
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