Rejoicing Over Sinners Who Repent

Prayer Practice

Lectio – This is a familiar passage.  So, read today’s passage through once. Then spend some time praying and asking God to show you what you need to pay attention to in the text. Read it again. Now ask God to help you see what this text, and the part that has stood out, may mean for you. Don’t expect to get a clear word every time but always be ready to really hear from God through His Word.

 

DAILY READING

Luke 15:1-32

REFLECTION

The Joy of Finding the Lost

by Mary McGinnis

The feelings of loss, how would you describe it? There is a pit in your stomach, a heart wrenching ache, a feeling of overwhelming sadness, a black hole of emptiness, the bottomless pit of an infinite void. We feel it when something of great value or worth has been plucked right out of our hands. When or where have you experienced a deep loss in your life, in the past, over this past year, or even right now?

Have you ever considered that God too can feel that kind of pain and suffering of loss?  

In today’s reading, Jesus tells three parables about things that had been lost.

Can you feel the Shepherd’s pain when he counts his sheep and only finds 99? What has happened to the ONE? Where is this One who has wandered away, the One not only lost, but going in the completely opposite direction? What is the Shepherd willing to do to rescue this wayward One?

The Shepherd seeks the lost One – He is willing to leave behind the 99 who are safely in the fold to rescue the One who wander away. 

Can you feel the pain of the widow who after counting her coins, and finds that one of her valuable 10 coins is lost? What is she willing to do to find that lost coin? 

The Widow seeks the lost One – She is willing to relentlessly pursue the One which lies stagnate somewhere out of sight, unable to help itself. She did not just count her nine coins and write off the 10^th as lost. Night and day, she kept seeking.

Can you feel the pain of the loving father, who watches his son walk away, knowing he is going to end up in ruins? How does that father feel, day after day, as he hears nothing from his son? Does he lose hope when he constantly scans the horizons for any sign that his lost son is returning home? What is this father willing to do to restore this lost son?

The Father seeks the lost One – He runs toward the One who had betrayed him, the One who was feels unworthy and full of shame and restores him to his place in the family.

In sharp contrast, the Pharisees were ONLY interested in protecting their pride, their own worthiness, value, and superiority. The “us” versus “them” mindset had them locked into complaining about these worthless dregs of society, whom they felt should be discarded as rejects. Nothing would have made them happier than to see themselves as “in” and these “sinner” cast out! 

Jesus associating with the likes of these and accepting them into his circle of influence was like a slap in their faces. 

 

Jesus wanted them (and us) to see the heart of the Shepherd, the Widow, and the Father whose heart ached at the loss of those who seemed insignificant, valueless, or unworthy.  

When these lost Ones were found, there was exuberantly REJOICING.  Their rejoicing spilled over into an invitation to everyone to rejoice along with them.  

Pray: Lord Jesus, thank You for seeking me when I have wandered, been stuck in stagnation, helplessly lost or overwhelmed with shame.  You have restored me to life as Your beloved child.  Keep me from the pride of the “us” versus “them” mentality.  Show me Your heart and fill me with the joy of participating with You in Your work of seeking and restoring those who are lost.