The Messiah's Secret - The Lost Sheep 

In  our Gospel reading Jesus was sat eating with tax collectors and others who were termed as sinners. I wondered if Matthew who was once was a tax collector was gossiping the Gospel, eager for some of his associates to come and listen to Jesus.  Luke 15: 1-10 

It is only when Jesus was challenged by the Pharisees and scribes that we get a glimpse of what he was discussing with them.  He was gathering the lost sheep of the house of Israel in preparation for the coming in of the kingdom.                                                   

The Parable of the lost sheep  

Jesus referred to the ninety nine sheep, these were the people who kept to the letter of the laws of Moses and were righteous, their names written in ‘The Book of Life’. 

“But now, if thou wilt forgive their sin-and if not-blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.” Exodus 32: 32.  

“But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose names shall be found written in the book.”               Daniel 12: 1.

The lost sheep were like Matthew the disciple who was once a tax collector and deemed as an outcast because of collecting taxes for the Romans and for coming in contact with them on a regular basis.  

The tax collectors reputation for fraud was highlighted when Jesus invited himself for tea at Zacchaeus’ home. Afterwards he announced that he would make restitution under Jewish 4 times above the amount he had acquired by fraudulent means. Exodus 22. Jesus announced that salvation had come to his house. “For the Son of man came to seek and save the lost.” Luke 19: 1 – 10.  

The Messiah's Secret page 32, 33  

These lost sheep were regarded as having no hope and were lost to God. People like the poor, the homeless and the beggars Most of these people had given up on the law, as they probably could not afford to buy their sin offerings and as a result were cut off from the law. Through the shepherd, Jesus, in his love assured them of their place in the kingdom. Jesus said that there was great rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety nine righteous persons who need no repentance.                                       

Jesus’ mission he was gathering, embracing the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Matthew 10: 6  

These people whom God loved and their love for God and had faith in Him Jesus was removing the overburdening laws that had been added by the Pharisees. Having heard the call of the shepherd, they became followers of Jesus and as a result were not allowed in the synagogues. John 9: 22.                                                                  

My niece introduced us to her boyfriend, we learnt that he worked for the Inland Revenue. We could not resist to pull his leg about his job; even today collecting taxes for the government is not popular.  

A new Christian had problems sleeping and wrote to the Inland Revenue enclosing a cheque for £100. “Please find enclosed a cheque for £100.” PS. “And if I still can’t sleep, I’ll send you the rest.”  

Today we are heavily taxed, I remember several years ago, my aunt complaining that her pensions and savings were taxed twice.  With the financial crisis our taxes have increased. The latest VAT on water and more increases in the pipe line.

The Food Banks are stepping in to relieve a growing number of people's crisis in making ends meet. Often putting paying their bills before they spend money on food and for some that means going without food. This is where Jesus is carrying the brokenhearted, those who are suffering. By contributing food to the Food Banks we are helping to carry, release people from their burden.              Carved Hands - Derwentwater, Keswick                                                                 

Under man’s ruling authority we will always have the poor and downtrodden. Matthew 26: 11.                                                                                                                                 Injustice and poverty in the 18 century was heard in a nursery rhyme, an appeal through the voices of children. Today, it’s the children who suffer most, as some go to school without having any breakfast.                                                                            

“He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather his lambs in his arms.” Isaiah 40: 11.   Words to Baa Baa Black Sheep by our church’s organist

Jesus, Jesus loves His little sheep.

White ones, black ones, He will keep

all who come to Him, all in their need

No-one will be denied, He all will feed.                                                                          

Jesus, Jesus loves His little sheep

Will you come to him, stay and reap

 all His love for you, forever the same

 Will you come to him, and take his name.

In the nursery rhyme 'Baa Baa Black Sheep' the black wool 
I interpret as being 'the sin of  injustice.' Only the rich could afford the expensive black wool.

You cannot dye black wool; I have tried using bleach to lift the black colour out of the wool, but it did not work. It reminds me that we can’t change the colour of our heart; the stain of sin won’t bleach out by our own effort.

Jesus does not look at the colour of a person’s skin but looks at the stain on the heart.

Paul recalled how he persecuted the church in his unbelief. His life changed dramatically when he saw Jesus in a vision on the Damascus road, and he heard Jesus say those words, “Saul, Saul why are you persecuting me!” From hearing the words of Jesus in his heart, he was changed man and he followed Jesus.

Peter had denied Jesus three times, when he heard the cock crow and he remembered Jesus’ words to him. “And the Lord turned and looked at Peter . . . “Before the cock crows today you will deny me three times. And Peter went out and wept bitterly.” Luke 22: 61

The Lost Coin

The woman who lost the coin that belonged to her. If we think of this coin as her relationship with God and were she is struggling to find the Lord her God to answer her prayer.

Sometimes when we are anxiously seeking the Lord for answers to a situation or a problem, he just does not seem to be there we cry out, ‘Where are you Lord, when I need you?’

Paul in his letter to the Ephesians wrote, “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.” Ephesians 1: 16-18

Or it may be that we have lost sight of the passion that we once had to proclaim the Gospel to our friends.

 “Being rooted and grounded in love may we have power to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth, length, height and depth and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3: 17-19.

We want to rekindle the flame of our smoking embers.

Prayer

Help us gracious Lord, to seek out and embrace the years that the locusts have eaten. That you would stir up the flame within us, so that we may shine for you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.