that one

Luke 15:1-10

Jesus gives us that beautiful and striking image of the Shepherd who leaves the 99 sheep in order to track down that one that strayed.

How dare he? How dare he abandon the 99 for the sake of that one?

You know which one I am talking about?

That one, who has abused his wife, that one who has drank himself unconscious, that one who now sits in prison with blood stains on his hands, that one who has lied and cheated his way to the top and there he finds himself empty, that one who brings down everyone in the room with their negativity, that one who gossips continually about everyone in the work place, that one who spreads her legs at every Tom, Charlie that comes her way, that one who is a womanizer and cheat, that one who is a home wrecker, that one who can't seem to put food on the table and clothed her chidlren but she finds time to be at the bar each night, that one...yeah, you know which one I am talking about, that one that is lot like you and I,

that one who is lost, and ridiculed, and made fun of, that one who is the butt of jokes, that one who every one turns away when they walk by, that one who can't seem to find a listening ear, that one.


Be on the look out for that one!

"What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it?"

"I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repenatnce."

Have you made heaven rejoice yet? Have you?