I am certain that most of us will
never forget the events of September 11, 2001 just like the Russian
people will not forget the horrible event of last week. Life, unfortunately,
seems to have too many tragic events. Lives are lost; so too, are
things like confidence and trust. Tragedy can be isolated and personal;
it can be widespread and, at times, almost impersonal as the human mind seems
capable of handling only so much before it builds protective systems consciously
or unconsciously.
For most of us who have not had to experience such things first-hand
it is almost impossible to grasp what happens to those directly
involved and to those closest to them. As I try to imagine the
horror, the one thing I think is most awful is for those who
are not able to find their loved ones. It has to be horrible,
I know, for those who have to identify victims and then see to
burial arrangements. But it seems even more difficult in many
ways when there is no body to be found or to be recovered. I
recall a woman in Montana whose brother was missing in action
in Vietnam. For years she has not been able to be at peace not
knowing what happened to her loved one.
It seems like a quiet thing until it happens to you or someone
you know but hundreds of people, mostly children, disappear without
a trace every year. What pain the loved ones of the lost ones
must go through. What pain the lost ones must experience if they
remain alive. I am not trying to be morbid or play on your emotions.
There is more than enough of this in the world without my adding
to it.
What I am attempting to do in light of today's Scripture
passages is to look at what it means to be lost both for the
victims and for those who are looking for them. I am attempting
to see what happens when the lost are found both for the lost
and for those doing the finding.
The parables of the lost sheep
and the lost coin have to be joined with the third parable of
Luke 15, the lost son. What I think is interesting to note is
that the sheep, the coin and even the son are not aware they
are lost. Sheep and coins do not have this capacity and one might
question at times whether or not we humans have it.
Jesus was dealing with two groups of people when He told these
parables. He was attempting to reach both groups because they
both were lost. The one group quickly realized it and joyfully
accepted what Jesus offered them. The other group, mostly religious
leaders, could not fathom why Jesus would bother with those whom
they considered to be untouchables. These pious ones did not
realize how far they were from the ways of God because they believed
themselves to be God's
chosen and favored ones.
It is one thing to be lost and admit it; it is quite another
thing to be lost and not know it. Many years ago I was driving
south when I thought I was going north. Not realizing I was heading
in the wrong direction my only concern was the itching I had
from poison oak I had encountered at a work camp. Leaving Tennessee
believing I was driving to Kentucky you can imagine my surprise
when I realized I was heading to Florida. Once I discovered my
mistake I soon headed in the proper direction. The problem with
being lost and not knowing it is that you keep moving further
and further away from where you are supposed to be. The other problem
is that when others try to help, you deny needing it because you are
convinced you know where you are.
Having been lost a time or two, I can assure you there is great
relief and a sense of joy when you are found. Jesus points us
to the joy that those who do the finding experience. The shepherd
picks up the lost sheep and carries it back to the others. He
is relieved to have found it and no doubt realizes the weakened
condition of the lost one. The woman who finds her coin, no doubt
part of her dowry, rejoices so much that she invites her friends
to celebrate with her. The father of the lost son also throws
a lavish party when his son comes home.
The wonderful news in all of these parables is that God wants
to be with us and is constantly looking for ways to make that
happen. Is it any wonder that the Great Commission from Jesus
is for us to find the lost and bring them to God. People who
are lost and know it as well as others who are hurting need to
know that others are concerned for them and are making efforts
to reach them and help them. If you have to make a 911 call,
it is reassuring to hear someone say, "Help
is on the way and will soon be there."
Unfortunately it is a safe assumption to believe there will
continue to be tragedies, and people will continue to be lost
and/or hurting. The good news is that there have always been
others who care enough to try to find them or to help meet their
needs.
God has never been one to create and abandon as some people
seem to believe. Not only does God care but God asks those who
believe in God to care as well. This is why Jesus tells us to
love our neighbors and even our enemies.
We have seen that caring occur once again as many of you worked
on Habitat Houses or brought snacks to those who did. Many
others worked to beautify the entrance to Chiddix Middle School.
Together we collected more food than ever before to help fight
hunger in our community. The world and many of its people continue
to hurt but the good news is there is joy to be found whenever
loving confronts the hurting. |
