Luke 15:1-10 (NRSV)
Read Luke 15:1-10 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 15Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. Verse 2And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." Verse 3So he told them this parable: Verse 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? Verse 5When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. Verse 6And 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.' Verse 7Just 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. Verse 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? Verse 9When 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.' Verse 10Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
Devotion
Speedy forgiveness seems to be a contradiction in terms. More usually, forgiveness comes with a slowness reminiscent of glacial drift before global warming. We humans not only harbor resentments; we equip those harbors with all the equipment for shipping word of our mistrust and sense of violation wide and far.
Jesus doesn't merely tell followers to forgive. He paints a vivid picture that even 21st century urban-dwellers can conceive. A shepherd restlessly searches for his sheep, then rejoices at finding it. Now, consider that you are not merely a sheep from a flock kept for seasonal shearing and occasional butchering. You are God's child, in amongst other bleating children of God. Sometimes, you are lost. Other days, you are God's shepherd, able to see what is needful to reconcile with your neighbor and thereby rush with her or him into God's rejoicing.
Prayer
Lord God, we thank and praise you for your speed in forgiving us. Help us to share your urgent acceptance and welcome with those who need our pardon. Amen.