Precious
Luke 15:1-10
Sometimes we read the parables of Jesus looking only at what each parable says. Today’s text gives us an example of how the set up to the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin actually tells us the audience. That audience gives us a clue to whom the parables were addressed – the “sinners” and tax collectors. These were the most despicable people of society – at least in most people’s mind of the day. The “sinners” were considered moral outcasts and tax collectors were in collusion with the hated Roman government. It was pretty clear that this parable was addressed to the marginalized. Over against these “sinners” and tax collectors were the religious leaders and scribes – those considered to be the moral elite and the outstanding religious people. Jesus was talking to the despised while the privileged “over hear” the conversation and “tsk” to themselves.
That sets the scene for these two parables. In the first a sheep is lost. The shepherd leaves the herd of ninety-nine to find the one lost sheep. Notice that there wasn’t a bit of curiosity on the part of the narrator as to why this sheep came to be lost. Did it wander away on its on volition? Was it snatched by predators or stolen by rivals? It doesn’t matter. What matters is the state of the one in need. The response of the shepherd to finding the lost sheep is exuberant, even excessive, joy. It’s party time. Everyone is called to come and celebrate. This precious lost sheep has been found.
The next parable of the lost coin mirrors the first. It describes a common situation where a woman loses a coin. She upends the entire house to find the lost coin and when she does, she is not merely relieved. It’s party time. She invites her friends and neighbors to celebrate with her. There is no reason to think that the lost coin was any different from the other nine coins that were not lost, except for the joy it brings the woman who finds what was lost.
As they listened, the tax collectors and “sinners” were drawn to Jesus because they recognized themselves in these parables. They were amazed that anyone would be happy to welcome them back, to throw a party because they were safe, or to be the cause of celebration. Nobody had ever considered them to be precious.
What do you think of when you hear the term “precious?” Some go immediately to gemstones. Some of us think of Gollum from Lord of the Rings. Maybe your mind went immediately to Gabby Sidibe from the movie, “Precious.”
Did any of you immediately have a mental image of yourself? We seem to have the same block as the tax collectors. Why should we think of ourselves as precious? Because God says so.
The signs are all around us. Today we consecrate 11 people from our congregation as deacons. This begins a new phase of care and service to our congregation as we grow. We received four new members two weeks ago and today we have another baptism of one who was so touched by the power of God in this place that he wanted to affirm his baptism here even though his job is taking him to Nevada this coming week. In a couple of weeks we begin the interview process for the Director of Outreach position. God says these moments are precious.
Today at our congregational meeting following this service we have the opportunity to create a step toward a precious future together. In my 32 years of ministry within the GLBTQ community it has been my observation that we sometimes undermine our best efforts simply because of those old tapes in our own heads that tell us success can never be ours. God’s grace is about making a way when we think there is no way. When it seems like all the options are bad and then suddenly the light appears on the path before you and it becomes clear. That was my experience of how we got from where we were six months ago to today. I am so stoked by the response I have seen in you as a result of the size summit and the steps the Board has been taking – the energy, the enthusiasm, the hopefulness are all contagious. I am also more hopeful than ever that we are back on the path that leads us to the promised bright future. More and more I am learning how each of the moments we spend together on this journey are precious. I hope you are sensing that as well.
So, today as the audience that is hearing these parables of Jesus anew in our time, in our context, in this moment, what shall be our response? Will we look at our options like those religious leaders and scribes and “tsk, tsk, tsk” away our future. Or are we to respond to grace like the shepherd who finds the sheep and the woman who reclaims her lost coin – with exuberant and excessive joy? I feel a party coming on!
Sources:
http://www.hrc.org/scripture/week.asp
www.homileticsonline.com Why Church? Reason One: Community. September 2010.