Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to Jesus. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So he told them this parable: (Luke 15:1-3)

Jesus used stories to teach. There's something about stories that is comforting to listen to—even stories that challenge our ways of being, make us re-think our values, or confront us with new truths.

We hear that God seeks out the lost. When there is one sheep of ninety-nine who is lost, he goes out to find the one lost sheep. When he finds the sheep, he comes home and, "calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." (Luke 15:6-7)

We hear that God seeks out the lost. When a woman loses a coin, she sweeps the whole house looking for it. "When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.' Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (Luke 15:9-10)

In case we missed it in the preceding two stories, Jesus tells a third story where we hear again that God seeks out the lost. "A younger son asks for his inheritance before his father even dies. He burns all the money, betrays even his religious practices in an effort to eat, and finally decides to go back home. Prepared to beg for forgiveness (genuine or otherwise), this sinner is greeted by his father, while he is still far off. And the father says 'Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!' And they began to celebrate." (Luke 15:22-24)

Christ Jesus ate with sinners and when that made him unpopular, he taught the good news that God seeks out the lost. This is good news for you and me too. You are not forgotten or expelled from God’s embrace. God seeks you out. What was lost has been found.

Dear God, when we are lost, you find us. When we are far off, you come running to greet us. Teach us to embrace the lost as you’ve welcomed us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Contributed by Pastor Becky
Monday March 7, 2016
Liturgical Year C: Week 15
Liturgical Color: purple
Sunday Gospel reading: cLent4
Fourth Sunday in Lent