Loving God of all people, we thank You for this special day in which we honor those who have or still, labor with their hands. Allow them rest this day and we pray for a prosperous blessing for their labors and ours. In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
A very restful and Happy Labor Day to you all. Prayers for all who travel today to return to their homes after spending time enjoying this day off.
Here is our text for today: Luke 15: 1 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." 3 So he told them this parable: 4 "Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' 7 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. 8 "Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9 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.' 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
Luke 15 is one of my favorite passages in the Bible for it is called the Chapter of the Lost. Three stories by Jesus explain how God feels about the lost. In this passage, two of the stories are shared. Before we get to the stories, notice why Jesus tells them. Jesus is being attacked for spending time with "sinners." Big gasp! Not only does Jesus talk to them, he sits down and eats with them. Now eating was (and is for us) a big deal. To "sup" with someone meant you fully accepted them. You sat at a common table and enjoyed a meal together. In the context of the stories shared, Jesus is identifying "the lost" as these people called "sinners" by the righteous (Pharisees and scribes). Please also note that if the sinners are lost, the Pharisees and scribes are found. We don't hear too many sermons about this part, we love the part of shepherds finding sheep or a poor woman finding a coin. That's important too, to illustrate God's great love, but don't overlook the love God has for those who are already part of God's love.
In the first story, Jesus uses a reference with which everyone in the audience could identify with. Most people in that audience had someone in their family or neighborhood who worked as a shepherd. Everywhere you looked you saw shepherds and sheep. You understood the importance of this livelihood and you also had a comprehension of how shepherds cared for their flock. A shepherd who owned his/her sheep, loved the sheep and would give their lives for them. Every sheep was important. We could almost make the case for today's dog owners. How many times have you not seen a photocopied flyer on a utility pole with the dog's face and name and the word "reward" on it? Sadly, you seldom see one for a cat. Some might be tempted to say, "Your reward is that you can keep Tabby!" But Jesus continues with this story in saying that that one lamb was so important to this shepherd, that he secures the 99 and goes in search for the one lost sheep. He risked all that was involved in finding it, but searches until he finds it and then rejoices in finding it. He places it on his shoulders, then goes and tells his friends that he has found the lost lamb! That same party that the shepherd has with his friends happens in Heaven when one lost sinner is found!
Next story, everyone has or knows a woman. And most of us know women who are dependent on what money they receive to meet their financial obligations. That was common in Jesus' day as well. We don't know the marital status of this woman, nor is it important, but Jesus has connected with those listening and says, Suppose this woman has enough money to make it through ten days, but loses the money for one day? This woman would search high and low until she finds that money. Jesus infers that this lady has called her friends to let them know that she has lost this money. And when she finds it, she tells those same friends and possibly others, "I found the money! Be happy with me!" Jesus again says, the same kind of joy is found among angels in Heaven when one sinner returns to God. Notice this lost person has repented and entered or re-entered into relationship with God.
This is a personal passage for it calls us to re-examine where we are with God both in our relationship with God, making sure we repent of our sins and get right with God, and also in our attitude and relationship with those different from us, but whom we realize, are also already in relationship with God.
PRAYER: Lord God, we sometimes worry just about ourselves and those we already know and love. For that love You have for me and them, I thank You. I ask forgiveness for sometimes judging others as being "outside" of Your love because they are different or don't agree with me. Bless them as well. We thank You for this day and ask Your blessings on all who travel this day to be home or at work again. I ask these things in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
PS Prayer Request for the Bambrick family of San Marcos. Tom Bambrick, devoted husband and faithful servant of the Lord, went to his rest on Friday. I ask for prayers for Nita, his wife, and all the dear family members.
A BIG THANK YOU for all who journeyed in prayer with Nellie and I as we made our way from here to North Carolina and then home. We returned safe and sound, weary, but resting today for the joys and demands that lay ahead. May the Lord bless you and keep you!
