Going Deeper With Luke

Having spent time around sheep I've come to believe that Jesus' parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15) is a clever, purposeful insult. Sheep are foolish, fearful, stupid, careless creatures bent on satisfying a gluttonous appetite.  Hmmmmm ( that's the sound of an insulting and accurate comparison registering in my often foolish, fearful, stupid, careless and gluttonous brain).

In pursuit of satisfaction they may wind up in situations where only the shepherd can effect their rescue.  Lost sheep may even resist their rescue.  Hmmmmmmm - there's that sound again.

This is a picture of how lost I am; more lost than I cared to believe.  Yet I am more loved than I can comprehend.  And this realization calls into question possibly everything I've ever thought about God, religion and salvation. How is that?

I've come to believe that God's community is defined by how rescued it is, not by how righteous it is.  Righteousness produced by loyalty and training develops a good sheep dog but doesn't necessarily produce salvation.  Besides, I am a sheep, not a dog.

Matt 17:22-23 makes it clear that not all who call on the Lord are known to Him.  That being the case, what does it mean to me to be a Christian?

I am thinking it has more to do with my need for a Savior. I don't need a prophet, a teacher, a sheep dog or a trainer.  I simply need to recognize my need and not resist the rescue.  The salvation-invitation wasn't extended to good dogs but to lost sheep.

Looking back on Older writings

Looking back through my old writings has been a good exercise for me. It is hard to see growth sometimes, except in retrospect. But even then there were moments of joy and worship.




From Nov. 13th, 2008-

..."God chooses people He can depend on. He knew what to expect from Abraham and said of him, 'I have chosen him, ...that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what He has promised him.' (Gen 18:19) The Lord can be depended on, and He desires for us to be just as dependable, reliable, determined and stable. This is simply the meaning of faith.



"God is looking for people on whom He can place the entire weight of His love, power, and faithful promises. And He is strong enough to pull any weight I may attach to Him. Sadly, I have often used an undersized cable to tie on. The resulting discipline is often painful. May I learn my lessons well and then stand firm."



Enough said.