14 So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.
– Matthew 18:14
We are more accustomed to hearing the parable of the lost sheep in Luke’s gospel, as it follows the parable of the lost coin, precedes the parable of the lost or prodigal son. Within that context we get the point that there is rejoicing over the one who make the wrong choices, and the grace of the father that comes to the one who turns there life around. Yet, as we see the same parable of the lost sheep in Matthew’s gospel, we might hear it a little differently. Matthew’s account has Jesus instructing his followers about becoming like children to be great in the kingdom of heaven, of how important children are because of their innocents and how important it is to not let them stray or stumble.
When we follow this line of thinking and come to the parable of the lost sheep, it seems as though it is better for that we never become one of the lost ones. Yes, there is grace for those who are lost, but given the right care, love, and compassion from the time we are children, we might never have to stray to know God’s grace. We can belong in our Father’s house and rejoice in His presence. Matthew 18:10 says “..for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven.”
There is great rejoicing in the lost that is found, but Jesus is telling us that the will of the Father is that no one is lost. The idea here is of a totality in God’s kingdom of all. God offers mercy, grace, forgiveness, and love, that we might all be a part of God’s kingdom now and in the age to come. Jesus teachings point us to understand that if we are a part of this kingdom, then we have a job to see that others know they are accepted as well. The beauty of being a herald for the kingdom of God, is that it should be good news for all to hear. We, as the church today, get the opportunities to be such heralds – to tell people that they are accepted, loved, and forgiven. If only we understood the true power those actions had, perhaps we would do them more often.
As we come close to celebrating the thanks we have for what God has done in us, I hope that we will share that good news with those around us. We need to share the story of faith, let others know of the struggles God has helped us overcome, and rejoice that we and all who profess Christ as Lord are a part of something that is everlasting.
Praise be to God for we are sheep unto his fold, now and forever. Amen.
Grace & Peace,
Sam