Luke 15:1-10 for Sunday, September 16, 2007

Translation:
(1) And all the tax collectors and sinners were gathered around in order to listen to him (2)and the Pharisees and scribes always murmured, saying "He welcomes these sinners and eats with them." (3)But he told them this parable: (4)Any of you who has one hundred sheep and loses one of them, won't he abandon the ninety nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until he finds it? (5)And when he finds it, he puts it upon his shoulder rejoicing (6)and coming home he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, "Rejoice with me that I found my lost sheep!" (7) I say to you that likewise there is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents more than ninety nine righteous people who do not need repentance. (8)Or what woman, having ten coins if she loses one coin will not light a lamp and sweep the house and search thoroughly until she finds it? (9)And finding it, she calls together friends and neighbors saying, "Rejoice with me because I found the coin which I lost. (10) Thus, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

These two parables of Jesus closely echo each other. Many of the same Greek verbs are used in both and the conclusion (explanation) of the parables in verse 7 and 10 are very similar, indicating that these two parables were intended to be read together.

The scene starts out with Jesus surrounded by tax collectors and sinners. The Greek indicates that Jesus made this a habit. He is always eating with these unworthy people and the scribes and Pharisees are always murmuring about it. The way they describe Jesus welcoming and eating with these persons is the way one might describe how an honored guest is warmly received in a home. Jesus isn't just eating with sinners. He is even giving them the choice seats and giving them the treatment of kings. The scribes and Pharisees object to this kind of treatment for such common (even despised) people. It just isn't socially acceptable.

That's why Jesus tells these stories. In both parables, something insignificant is lost. One lost sheep in a flock of one hundred is really pretty minimal. Particularly if it was a weakling. Taking a chance on finding the one lost sheep when the other ninety nine hang in the balance seems silly. Likewise, the woman who loses a coin has lost one silver coin. One silver coin was not worth very much in Jesus' day. Ten silver coins were worth more, but not so much that it would warrant such a thorough search. The point is that the thing that seems insignificant still has value. In fact when this small loss is found, it is worthy of a party and a celebration. Jesus reminds them that even one soul that repents is worthy of a warm reception by God, perhaps more worthy than ninety nine souls not in need of repentance.

What is interesting is that the scripture actually says that there is more joy in heaven for one sinner who repents than ninety nine righteous people without need for repentance. Who among us (even the righteous) is not in need of repentance? Perhaps the haughty, hubris-filled folks do not need repentance. But, it begs the question--who then is the lost sheep? The tax collectors and sinners or the Pharisees and scribes?

Jesus is the master at role reversal. In one short parable he manages to turn the tables so that God's grace is extended to the most unlikely recipient. Jesus initially paints a parable where the Pharisees and scribes are in a secure position as the ninety nine not in any jeopardy. However, the story makes it clear that God receives the one lost lamb more warmly than the ninety nine. Since the Pharisees and scribes do not seem too open to the possibility of participating in the welcoming celebration, who then is closer to the spirit of God? The Pharisees and scribes or the tax collectors and sinners?

In any case, scripture has the most impact on us when it intersects with our own lives. So, which are you? Are you one of the ninety nine feeling pretty secure? Are you the lost sheep, alone and afraid, waiting for the shepherd? Are you one rejoicing? Are you one repenting? Take a minute to take stock of which you are and then reread the parable with new eyes.