Forward Movement is an official, non-profit agency of the Episcopal Church whose mission is to create compelling content for Christian living. Since 1935 we have published the quarterly devotional Forward Day by Day, as well as pamphlets, booklets, and books that encourage and nourish people in their lives of prayer and faith.
FRIDAY, November 18
Matthew 18:10-20. Does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?
Sheep have never heard of the herd. Leave ninety-nine of them unattended while you look for just one? Crazy. Ninety-nine sheep left to themselves will scatter like marbles dropped onto a concrete floor, except sheep have legs, so they’ll run off in all directions and keep going. You can say good-bye to most of them forever.
There’s not much doubt, though, that the crazy shepherd in this parable is a figure for God. So is God crazy? Only if God is limited like us. If you or I were to chase after one lost sheep, we’d have to neglect the other sheep, but not so with God. We cannot wander so far that God cannot find us. If all the sheep wander away, God will search for every one.
What I think Jesus is saying here is that when we’re threatened, frightened, or bleeding, God spares no effort, even at great cost, to bring us home rejoicing. God knows where we are, even when we don’t. And God is there, though we may not see God. When you’re at the end of your rope, or even detached from your rope and in a free fall, and even if it’s your own fault, God is there. Let God hold you and carry you home.
PRAY for the Diocese of Victoria Nyanza (Tanzania)View the daily Lectionary Readings at http://satucket.com/lectionary/
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