Going Back To My OId Self

There was an old man on his death bed reflecting. He began to be troubled. He began to explain why and said. When I was a young boy playing, we were at a crossroad in the street and we reversed a signpost so that the arrows were pointing the opposite way. Since that day he mentioned that he never always to wondered how many people were sent in the wrong direction by what he did.

This thought that carried with this man is the burden of leading others the wrong direction and potentially into harms way.

This is what Jesus speaks of in today’s Gospel. When Jesus speaks the way we should live, he often speaks of the blessings that follow when we act in accordance to God’s plan for us.

Rarely does he ever speak of the consequences that follow sin. In the rare occasion like today, Jesus speaks of the fragile and delicate nature of sin, specifically of leading and teaching God’s children or little ones to sin, as something grave and serious.

This doesn’t only have to mean children, it could even mean someone who belongs to God who is ignorant of sin. Who doesn’t know. And is introduced to it by someone else. Who still has a level of innocence in regards to not “knowing sin”.

Now we know he spends some time speaking of the weight of this type of sin. But he doesn’t stay in the place of warning. Or condemnation.

Because, all who have sinned, have learned it. Either from what they have heard, listened to, seen in their life. So Jesus knows all have sinned and gone astray. Have somewhat lost the path and the way.

So that is why he follows up this warning with the great news that God is a shepherd who leaves the 99 and goes looking after 1 lost sheep. Why does he do this?

Is it to bring us, the lost sheep, back to where we used to be? Are supposed to aim to be how we USED to be before we sinned?

I think some of us romanticize GOING back to how we used to be as if that is God’s solution.

But when you look at the parable, Jesus says, God the Good Shepherd and the whole hosts of heaven rejoice MORE of the one sheep who comes back, rather than the 99 who never went astray.

So God knows that being astray, is something we hope to avoid, but can definitely be used by HIM for our salvation.

Being redeemed by God is not having our memory or history erased, but redeemed.

Becoming new, doesn’t mean going back to the way we used to be, but taking all the pieces we’ve collected and letting God create a beautiful work of art. God doesn’t let anything go to waste. Being saved by God can mean being saved from falling.

Being saved can also mean being picked up after we have fallen.

Today, my friends, Let us have the courage to cut off all things holding us back from this good work of God wants to do in you and me. Jesus our good shepherd, looks at you and me as the 1 lost sheep he came down to die for.

To show you that your past and present sin comes to no comparison to God’s desire to redeem you, make you new, and bring you salvation. Amen.