“No one’s disposable”
By Rev. Michael Stonhouse
Meditation – Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Luke 15: 1-10 (Forward, p. 15) CEV p. 1082
Today’s incredible passage about the lost sheep and the lost coin portray vividly something about both the gospel writer and about Jesus. In a world where women were often distained and looked down upon, what we find here is rather remarkable. Bible students have noted, for instance, that Luke, the author or editor of this gospel, often goes out of his way to include matching accounts side by side, the one having to do with men being closely followed by one having to do with women. And, in this, we have no reason not to believe that he was reliably picking up on what Jesus Himself had said and done. To me, this can be attested to by the accuracy and the authenticity of the two stories He told in today’s account.
In what might be labeled ‘the male account’ the owner of the sheep has lost a sheep, which is rather serious business as there was a multitude of dangers that a lone sheep might fall prey to—predators, thieves, and, of course, natural hazards like the weather or perilous terrain. On this count alone there was an urgency, a need to take immediate action. But there was also the financial factor: in this risky and sometimes uncertain business, the potential loss of even one sheep was nothing to be sniffed at. No wonder the owner took the risk of leaving the rest of the sheep alone out in the field to go and search for this errant one.
And, with the ‘female account’, Jesus describes an equally heart-rending and poignant situation. A woman has lost one from her set of ten silver coins. In all probability, this was a gift from some male in the family, her father, brother or husband perhaps, and so was greatly cherished. It was a sign of their affection, probably worn around her forehead as a way of showing them and others how esteemed she was. Furthermore, in an age where banking was virtually non-existent and women’s wealth scarce, it was a kind of personal savings account. And so, it was deeply missed. Accordingly, the woman wasted not a moment to search for it, and even in the dark and dust of her somewhat ‘basic’ dwelling, spent no little time and effort to find it.
In relating these two stories, Jesus and the evangelist are honouring both men and women, and pointing out something very, very significant. In each case, what is missing, the sheep or the coin, is only one of many. And so one might well be inclined to say, ‘Oh well, win a few, lose a few’ and write off the loss. That is exactly what the Pharisees and teachers of the Law of Moses were prepared to do. What did it matter if tax collectors and others that they described as ‘sinners’ were somehow lost to the kingdom. ‘Oh well, win a few, lose a few’ was their adage here as well. But it was not how Jesus saw things. Anyone, and everyone, male or female, so called sinner or not, was important, valued and welcomed in His kingdom. No one was expendable, no one was disposable, and that means all of us.
Thanks be to God.
Forward notes: “And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost’” (verse 6).
“Rejoicing is a group activity. The finding of the lost sheep and then of the lost coin are not just events for the finder to rejoice in but a time of rejoicing for the whole community. We often keep our joys to ourselves. We don’t want to brag or show off, which means we often share our struggles more readily than our joys. But as we see in Jesus’s teaching, joy is meant to be shared! Friends and neighbours are invited into it so the finder isn’t just telling about their own joy but multiplying an experience of joy for all to participate in.
“In churches, we share our prayer concerns: people who need our care are put on prayer lists, and we ask for support around what is hard. Make sure this week that you also share your praise reports: medical scans that have shown good news or the resolution of some problem or conflict.”
Moving Forward: “Share your joy! What is something you rejoice over, and how might you invite another into that rejoicing?”