th
17 Sunday after Pentecost
“Lost and Found”
Luke 15:1-10
September 15, 2013
In 1900, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) elected social reformer Jane Addam to
honorary membership. But Addam’s antiwar stance during World War I and her insistence that even
the subversives had a right to trial by due process caused them to expel her. She commented that she
had thought her election to the DAR was for life, but now she knew it was for good behavior.
The same attitude can be applied to the Christian church today. Too many Christians believe that one’s
membership in the body of Christ is based on good behavior. When in fact membership is for life. And
membership is granted by God and not earned by us.
In a world in which performance has become the basis of worth, when success is measured by
productivity and accomplishment, when we evaluate each other by what we do it is easy to step over
the line and presume being a Christian is also about what we do, what we believe, and when and
where we worship. We too easily lose our focus. We too easily, to use the words of Jesus, become lost.
What is ironic is that we usually don’t even know we are lost.
I am reminded of a story of a grandfather who was watching his granddaughter in a mall while her
mother was shopping. Before he knew it his granddaughter was no longer at his side. He looked
everywhere but couldn’t find her. Just before he was about to call the police his daughter came
walking up with the granddaughter. When asked where she found her, his daughter mentioned that
she knew the granddaughter’s favorite toy store. When she found her, the little girl didn’t even know
she was lost. In many ways we are often like that little girl – lost but not knowing we are. I wonder if
you are lost and do not know it? I wonder if I am lost and don’t know it either?
Do you find it interesting that Jesus describes people, not as bad or unlovable, not even in need of
understanding or love? Jesus describes people as blind, lame, and lost. He knows we make choices and
that when we act out those choices it can lead us away from family. We can act out those choices and
without knowing it we become lost, separated from those we love. We find ourselves staring at our
favorite toys all the while not knowing that we have become lost. Lucky for us we have a God who
searches and doesn’t stop until we are found. When found it is then we realize just we had become
lost.
I know you all know this story very well. I am also aware that when we read a Bible story that we know
so well we can read it and not catch important truths or teachings imbedded in the story. This is one
such story.
Pastor Greg Uthus
73 N. Hill Avenue ● Pasadena, CA 91106 ● 626 792-4169 ● www.hillavenuegrace.org
This week I heard something new in a story that is very familiar to me. I must confess that I too, when
reading a story I know well, like this one, it is easy for me to read it quickly and thereby miss some of
its more important points.
When rereading it I heard Jesus speaking not just of God rejoicing when the lost are found but
wondering if we also rejoice over the lost being found? I mean. Aren’t there people who you would be
just as happy if they never were found, people you do not get along with, or people who disagree with
you or see life/faith from the opposite point of view? These are typically people we have a difficult
time finding a common ground, a place with which to relate. And while we are at it, what about those
with whom you have argued, fought, or said unkind things to? Would you really rejoice if they were
found? I suspect that there are a people in this world that we would not lose too much sleep if they
never were found.
This story today is one that lifts up undeserved love, inexhaustible patience, and unrestricted
acceptance. Those who receive such things are they who have become lost. The story doesn’t focus on
why. It only tells us that Jesus seeks them out regardless of the reason that got them lost in the first
place.
In the story we hear of the celebration that occurs when those who are lost are found. There is no
exception based on reasons for being lost. There is no exception over personality or offense. And there
is no exception offered because of the amount of time being lost. When one is found, regardless of
previous circumstances, there is celebration and joy. This is not just felt by God but by all who are in
heaven. I like knowing that when lost and then found and brought back in to a right relationship with
God that there is a celebration. I would like to think that this occurs on earth as it does in heaven. But
that is not reality. It doesn’t happen. Maybe it doesn’t happen because those who ought to be
celebrating the lost being found are they themselves lost – lost in prejudice, lost in anger, lost in
arrogance, in self-righteousness. Sometimes it is difficult to see our way through life objectively, with
an honest assessment of ourselves. It is much easier to point out those who are bad and then to place
us with those who are good. But every once in a while, someone wise enough will point out the reality
of our lives.
A teacher who, for reasons of her own, asked the students one day, “If all the bad children were
painted red and all the good children were painted green, which color would you be?” One very wise
child answered the teacher: “Striped.”
Jesus knows we are striped. Jesus knows we struggle between being lost and found, being good and
being bad. He tells us that no matter the reason for our being lost, when we are found all of heaven
rejoice! Not a bad way to feel or act is it? We too would do well if we would seek to rejoice when one
who is lost is found.
AMEN
Pastor Greg Uthus
73 N. Hill Avenue ● Pasadena, CA 91106 ● 626 792-4169 ● www.hillavenuegrace.org