REJOICE!
Have you ever lost something and spent a lot of time trying to find it?
I have. So… I can relate to the stories that Jesus tells about the lost sheep and the lost coin. I’ve spent far too much of my life looking for something I’ve lost – whether it’s my keys, my phone, my sunglasses, my wallet.
Sometimes it’s just a matter of going back to the last coat I wore or checking my head to make sure my glasses aren’t perched up there. But sometimes I feel more like the woman sweeping her house, looking again in every nook and cranny to find the lost item. And when I find them – I’m happy – although I might describe the emotion as relief. I’ll admit that I don’t usually throw a party.
But in his story – that’s what Jesus says the shepherd does when he finds the lost sheep – and so does the woman when she finds her lost coin. They are both so happy to have found what was lost – that they cannot contain their joy. They call for a celebration with their community; a party!
Their reaction – or seemingly over-reaction is a bit surprising. And yet, Jesus has a way of inviting us, by telling a simple ordinary story, to glimpse the extraordinary way of God. Because after each story, Jesus declares, that there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents.
The stories aren’t about repentance. The sheep isn’t being naughty – it’s just that sheep, by their very nature, follow their nose to the next blade of grass. They don’t even notice when they are getting farther and farther from the safety of the herd. They don’t repent in order to be found.
Likewise, a coin has absolutely no independent agency. It can’t repent. A lost coin does tend to end up in a hard to reach, dusty spot. But that’s not by design. If it were out in the open – it probably wouldn’t be lost.
Jesus tells these stories to the Pharisees in response to their grumblings about who he is eating with, because in the social culture of the day, who you ate with mattered. Jesus was a rabbi – which gave him some status. So the Pharisees were at first honored to have Jesus join their table. But they were absolutely appalled that he also ate with tax collectors and the people that the Pharisees called “sinners.”
And so Jesus’ word to the Pharisees – and to all people who would exclude others from the table – is that “there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”
The good news is that Jesus is the good shepherd who doesn’t give up searching, seeking, looking for the wayward sheep. And Jesus will not give up seeking out each beloved person until this “one” who was lost repents – or literally turns around, and returns to the way of God. And so of course he spends time and eats with those who are called “sinners” – or worse, “Tax collectors.” The tax collectors were considered traitors, those who worked with the Empire. Both groups were considered “other” – not us – by the Pharisees and all “good company.” But Jesus does not seem to care one whit. Because Jesus wants ALL of God’s children.
But, some have argued, is it really wise to abandon the 99 in order to pursue the “one” lost soul? Some scholars argue that this was the risk that Jesus is willing to take for the one wayward soul. But others think that the 99 are where they are supposed to be – and so other shepherds can watch over them. Either argument could be true. But, I would argue, the point is not to figure out the risk for the “99 righteous” but rather, to recognize that there aren’t 99 independently righteous souls. Instead, we all need a savior. We all need a shepherd for some course correction from time to time.
Have you ever felt a time in which you feel a bit lost, or angry, or frustrated with the world – or at least your corner of the world? Perhaps you have lost a loved one. Or maybe you have felt alone – or lonely – or anxious. It is at these times that Jesus seeks you – perhaps even a bit more urgently.
C.S. Lewis in his book, Surprised by Joy, tells of the way that God pursued him and would not let him go – even in his darkest hour. Referencing a poem by the same name, Lewis referred to God as the “Hound of Heaven” – who would not give up and would doggedly pursue him – no matter what. This is the kind of seeking, searching God that we have, a God that will doggedly pursue you and delight in you when you repent, that is turn, back to the way of God.
And then it is God who throws the party – and all the angels and the hosts of heaven are rejoicing, filled to the brim by joy.
What does that joy look like? Is it a dance party? A beautiful sunset? The smile of a baby? Let’s join the celebration and rejoice!
Thanks be to God. Amen.
September 14, 2025 + Faith-Lilac Way Lutheran church + Pastor Pam Stalheim Lane
https://timehrhardt.com/2020/11/23/2-timothy-28-13-the-hound-of-heaven/