February 8 - Sheep

The run today was frigid...a little too frigid.

Luke 15:1-7

1 Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." 3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

In college, I played in a Christian punk band with some of my friends. We played at churches and Christian coffee shops, but we also took our music and message to bars and pubs. What type of people hang out at churches? Christians. What type of people hang out at bars? Drunks. Yes, I know that not everyone who goes to a bar is an alcoholic, but some people who go seek thrills like sex, a pain relief (such as depression, emotional, or even physical), or just to get a high. What Christ is saying in this parable is that we should be concerned with the lives of other believers and those who don't believe. We shouldn't associate our lifestyle with these activities, but we shouldn't be hesitant to reach out and help.

It stands out to me that the Pharisees and law teachers critiqued Jesus and judged him and his company. The same people that he told this story to were all that one sheep who went astray. Christ fellowshipped with the best and the worst. He knew he was to share his love with everyone, no matter their race, occupation, wealth, or beliefs. We can be as good as we know how, but if we do not associate ourselves with the lowly, how will they know Christ? We are told not to conform to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our hearts and minds. Non-believers, killers, thieves, rapists, drunks, dealers, and many other types of "sinners" will most likely not go to church on their own terms. Christ needs us to take action and make the move to help these people. Even the Christian we work with who uses profanity in every sentence or the student who goes to FCA, but is known for drinking and sleeping around on the weekend, need to be carried back home. 

Jesus is the Great Shepard. We are supposed to be like Christ. 

Tend to the flock...