Now, in fairness, the Gospel *always* speaks about the hope of Christ and the renewal of the Spirit. Sometimes it’s just a little bit easier to find.
So I’m going to invite us to a bit of a deep dive with the holy words this morning – because we can put ourselves into this scenario – in fact, all of them.
It starts with some grumbling. We’ve got some bad-tempered folks, who are accustomed to getting their own way. They have titles and prestige and historical authority, so they get rather perturbed when Jesus’ messages of hope and renewal for all people really throws them for a loop.
And they grumble.
Interesting thing, though, when people grumble. They’re making noise to indicate that there has been an unsettling reality… but grumbling doesn’t do anything to fix it.
Think about when you’re hungry – your body lets you know something’s not right by grumbling in the stomach – and we hear that, and know we need to address the situation.
Because grumbling on its own isn’t a solution. It’s just a complaint.
Yet the Pharisees and scribes today are trying to use it as that – they’re trying to make enough negative noise about Jesus, that he’ll just go away – and they can go back to being on top of things.
And the noise they’re making – they don’t want a solution – they want to shame and blame – so they attack his character. Who does this guy think he is? They seem to ask. He *welcomes* sinners. Even EATS with them.
Ew.
How awkward, then, when Jesus doesn’t reply to their juvenile grumbling.
Instead he jumps into the parables. The lost sheep: was found, and they rejoiced!
The lost coin – was located – and they rejoiced!
And sinners who repent and return to God – truly, all of heaven and earth is invited to rejoice!
So it would be really easy for us to hear the message of rejoicing. The celebration. The goodness!
And rejoicing IS good! Especially in the context that Jesus shares – these are not private parties, these are broad episodes of delight where folks are invited to gather together around a singular purpose – the return of what was lost.
Yet these parables also invite us to look at what’s happening from a broader perspective.
Because there’s something that needs to happen before something is found – the sheep, the coin, the sinner – whatever.
And that is: loss.
The sheep: was lost. The coin: was lost. The people: were lost.
We don’t like, as humans, to admit that we have not been perfect. We like to be right; and that means we don’t generally advertise our shortcomings!
So for the folks in these parables to admit that something had been lost – well that’s a big deal.
The one tending the flock – likely these were not his own sheep. He would have been an employee; having been given responsibility over the flock.
Thus, every one matters. The lost, the found, the always-there.
Even a 1% loss – that one sheep out of a hundred – is too much.
So when the one is found, the shepherd comes back – and though he could just keep tending the flock, and not tell anyone that his shepherding skills that day weren’t great – he admits that he lost a sheep. And went to find the sheep – thus the community is invited to rejoice with him.
The woman’s lost coin – one of her 10 – well now we’re chatting about 10% of her wealth! 10% of her economic stability. It’s possible, even, given the context, that this was 10% of her dowry… and thus 10% of her future.
That coin is a big deal to her!
And she’s alone in the house when she notices it is lost; and alone in the house when she has found it.
Yet she breaks through any social embarrassment in order to invite folks to celebrate with her: she calls her friends and neighbours together and tells them that she had lost a coin.
She’s not worried about being called careless or thoughtless; she’s so elated by having found the errant coin that she invites a celebration.
There’s a few parallels in the shepherd and the woman – that go beyond finding what they have lost.
These parallels are insinuated in the message that Jesus is sharing, when he speaks of the return of sinners to the family of God.
In all of these cases, the person dwells with humility.
As the saying goes: Pobody’s Nerfect.
We all make mistakes; we all lose things, we all drop the ball – or the coin.
And it’s okay: it’s helpful, in fact when we can recognise our own humility. Being realistic in our self-assessment. In fact, it can be liberating when we free ourselves from the burden of trying to appear perfect before our friends and neighbours. Because they aren’t perfect either – and that’s okay.
God didn’t make us to BE perfect. Hence the opportunity to repent and return to the Lord: and to join the rejoicing angels.
The second thing that these parables have in common is the call to honesty. To have a realistic and practical awareness of ourselves. The shepherd lost a sheep – yup. It doesn’t mean he’s a bad shepherd. The woman lost a coin – yup. She’s not a bad person.
We as humans lose our way and sin – yup. It doesn’t mean we’re beyond redemption.
In fact, it highlights the great gift of redemption: for perfect people don’t need to be redeemed.
So being honest about who we are – and whose we are: the Pharisees were reminded that they too are human just like everybody else. And that they too, like the sinners that Jesus was welcoming and eating with – are indeed wanted at the Holy Feast.
The third trend I’ll highlight here is that of accountability. We are responsible for our actions: good and bad. So when we have those ooops moments, we can seek ways to repair what is broken. And when we have those YAY! Moments, we can celebrate and rejoice. The shepherd is accountable for all 100 sheep. The woman is accountable for all 10 coins. Our humanity is accountable for every single human. The pharisees are being invited to recognise their connection and accountability for those who are considered sinners and outcasts – for the ones casting out may be held to account when we all stand before the throne of grace.
And the fourth theme I want to highlight from these parables is this: safety.
The people are safe enough within their community to share their true selves. They are members of a group where they know they are loved and valued; despite their imperfections, their losses, their sins. They will not be mocked or grumbled at – but embraceed in celebration and rejoicing. The community Jesus hints at today is a one where people are all humble, honest, accountable – and safe. They are coming together to rejoice.
And rejoice – means of course to return to joy.
RE – JOYce.
This is the good news of the Gospel: that all of us are being invited to a time of returning to joy. Of connecting with one another in safe and healthy ways that are life-giving, empowering, and encouraging. They are communities where hope is prevalent:
Hope for the finding of whatever sheep is lost.
Hope for the well-being for the future.
Hope for the promised redemption of God, for ALL people.
So let us rejoice: as we hear the comforting words of Jesus.
That when we are lost; our shepherd is looking for us.
And when we are feeling devalued; our caretaker is lighting the way for us to shine.
And when we are put down by our peers; our God is welcoming us with an indwelling hope – and the promise of a return to wholeness, completeness, entirety.
So let us repent: in our imperfect selves – being humble, honest, accountable, and safe – that we can know that there is joy in the presence of the angels – and rejoicing in the celebration of Christian community.
Amen.
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