Wednesday, February 25
Read: Psalm 32; Exodus 34:1-9, 27-28; Matthew 18:10-14
At my previous appointment, we were getting ready for the Nativity pageant practice and had pulled out all the costumes to try on and get the kids dressed. One of the little boys was given the lamb costume, and as soon as his mama had zipped up the back, he went on the run. For the rest of the evening, the adults all took turns as the lamb would try to escape, going for the doors as quickly as he could. At one point, I found myself sprinting down the aisle as the other adults were preoccupied, and his hand went straight for the door. The little sheep on the run was not quite happy when “Brother Hunter” blocked his exit.
I chuckle at this memory, as it became commonplace to chase this little one around the church. He would go on the run, and usually one of the adults or I would find him and bring him back to the fold. Over the years, he got quicker and yet he never got quite to the point where one of us would take our eyes off him long enough for him to get away completely. The little lamb was always going to be found, and we all had our eyes on him.
As we read the gospel of Matthew, we hear of how Jesus speaks about little ones and how all are valued in the kingdom of God. To make his point, he talks about the shepherd who, having one hundred sheep, discovers one is missing. The shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to search for the one and then brings them back. The shepherd is happier when they find the one than the ninety-nine who did not wander off. In the same way, the Father in heaven feels the same way about the little ones so they should not be lost.
This beautiful passage and my little friend at Brantley UMC remind us of how much God loves us. At some level, even in adulthood, we are all children who at times wander off or get away from God. We try to find our own way in our self-sufficiency, our professionalism, or all the other things we chase as we believe we can do all things without God.
Like a shepherd, Christ comes and finds us, rejoicing when the search is over. Through various seasons of life, when I have “wandered off,” I find God comes for me not with reproach or anger. Instead, I find the good shepherd who cradles me and rejoices in finding me. As we go through the season of Lent we discover how God is searching for us and no matter how far we stray, God always comes after us.
Prayer:
Dear God, thank you for being our good Shepherd who comes and searches for us. Help us to feel your love and embrace even when we wander or stay. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.
The Reverend Dr. Hunter Pugh is Pastor of the Pike Road United Methodist Church. He also serves as adjunct faculty in the Religion Department at Huntingdon College.
