Sunday 26 August, 2012

15 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

The parable of the lost sheep is a beautiful story that describes the faithfulness of the Father to seek out those who have gone astray.

Too often, I am like the Pharisees in some way, even if it is only expressed internally. Father God give us your heart for the lost

and those who wander. Break our heart for what breaks yours. Make us a people who care for the “Tax collectors and other notorious sinners” in our world and help us to find a way to help them share a meal with Christ too.

Written by Justin Ware