Ezekiel 34:11-24; 1 Timothy 1:12-17; Luke 15:1-10

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We all have lost something. Most of the times, it’s something minor like losing a favorite pen, a wallet, or misplacing car keys. We realize that the item missing may not be that significant, however, the thought of losing it looms on our minds. So, we go searching. We look high and low until we find it. We may even obsess over it until it is found. When we do eventually find it, we rejoice!

Such are the parables in our Gospel lesson this week. Things are lost and the one who lost them goes searching. They don’t stop until it is found. And when it is, there is rejoicing! The lost sheep was not one that was misplaced though. It wandered off all on its own. It stopped listening to the voice of its shepherd and found itself in an unfamiliar place. We can debate the wisdom of the shepherd’s search, but he goes nonetheless. He leaves behind the ninety-nine in search of the one. 

This is the reason the Pharisees are so scandalized. Jesus leaves behind the ninety-nine “righteous” in search of the lone sinner. He invites them, these tax collectors and sinners, to his table that they may even eat with him! Of course, we all are those sinners. Not one of us is truly righteous before God. We all have wandered away at some point and needed to be found. For when others are brought in, let us not be scandalized by them.

Our Lord doesn’t give up his search. He seeks out the lost and desires to bring them back to his fold. The sheep of God have been abused long enough by selfish shepherds, that is, those who care little for the sheep and rather grow fat with greed. No, God will tend his sheep now. Just as Ezekiel writes, “For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out,” (Ezekiel 34:11). God will restore all who have been driven away by unrighteous shepherds. 

And so, he does. Jesus sought out you. He sought out all who have wandered, desiring them to rejoin the feast. God sends his own Son to shepherd the flock that not even one will be lost. He brings them back to the flock through his forgiveness and mercy. Jesus went to the cross that he may seek and find all those who have strayed from his way. When a lost sheep is found by his shepherd, when a sinner repents and is returned to the fold, there is much rejoicing among the angels in heaven! As Jesus said, “Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” Luke 15:7. Jesus receives sinners and feeds them his precious body and blood that they may join the feast unending!

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, You are the Good Shepherd, without whom nothing is secure. Rescue and preserve us that we may not be lost forever but follow You, rejoicing in the way that leads to eternal life; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!