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June 7, 2013
The International Team of Converge Worldwide (BGC)
For Our Global Partners Working Around the World
From David Jahnke
David Pierce of Steiger International preaches a clear and powerful telling of Jesus at work. Jesus is eating with bad people. People such as the drug lords of Juarez, used car salesmen, Packer fans—the kind of people that most everyone despises. Those around Jesus mutter, “This is proof Jesus is not from God, because if he was he would not be so intimate with them!” In this context Jesus tells a parable.
You have 100 sheep; one keeps running away. What is this sheep like? If sheep could be vicious, this would be an attack sheep. If sheep could use guns, this one would have a gun. He would have outlandish hair, listen to bizarre music. He would always be taking a weaker sheep off to do bad sheep stuff.
Now, I am a shepherd. I have 99 respectable sheep. One is rebellious, taking others off to do bad stuff. What’s the best thing I can do? LET HIM GO!!
But what does the Good Shepherd do?
If we are talking about me and not the Good Shepherd, during “lunch break” I might take a short look for the lost one. Ninety-nine are vulnerable, so I won’t be gone long.
But the Good Shepherd does what? He looks, and looks and looks… until the lost is found! No time limit!
Here’s an important concept: lost sheep are lost! Lost sheep go to lost sheep places. They live in lost sheep places. How have I typically responded to places that lost sheep go and live? “Thank you, God, that you’ll never see me there.” But if Jesus came to lost sheep places, he would know the names of bartenders, prostitutes, dealers, shamans, atheists… sinners.
What do you do when you find the lost one? “You stupid sheep, I left behind 99 good ones to go into the cold and rain. What a pain you are!” Me, if I am really angry, I eat the sheep.
This lost one is not our nice, fluffy white sheep we dream of petting. He has “matter” all over him, and Jesus picks him up and carries him home. God is the God of the lost.
O God, the Desire of all nations, in the knowledge of whose love and power there is salvation for all the peoples of the earth, may the day come quickly when all people will acknowledge you as Lord of all. Hasten the day when your presence and the strong hand of your purpose shall be found not only in the hearts of a few wise and brave people, but throughout all lands, in courts and places of government, in workshops and the marketplace, in the city and in the fields. And whatever we ourselves can do, give us grace this day to begin. Amen.
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