Sunday School Revisited: Parable of the Lost Sheep
I grew up in church, so I learned about God and Jesus through Sunday school lessons, youth group meetings and children’s church. As I got older, I noticed that the stories I was taught as a kid have taken on new meaning. The stories in the Bible are way less “fluffy” than I initially experienced; there are deep-seated lessons and meanings that went WAY over my head. Here, we will take some of those stories and lessons, tear them apart, and dig into the humanization they bring to all people.
“See that you do not disdain one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. What do you think? If someone owns a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go look for the one that went astray? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice more over it than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that one of these little ones be lost."
- We must become like children. The first part of Matthew 18, the disciples asked Jesus “who is the greatest in the kin{g}dom of heaven?” Jesus responded by telling them that they had to become “like children”. He mentions this again in verse 10, as he launches into parable. But, in this case, what does it mean to become like children? Children enter the world knowing nothing and wanting to explore everything. Children’s minds are fueled by curiosity and we need to take note. Stop judging yourself and get curious!
- Sheep. Are. Dumb. Just as children *can* be. Shepherds exist because sheep need special care and guidance. Sheep are grazing animals, but may not shift when they need to. Sheep will wander off (going after their curiosity) and get lost, unable to return to their flock. Shepherds ensure that the sheep stay safe, fed, and together!
- A lost ONE is more important than the found 99. When the Shepherd wanders off to find the lost one, is the shepherd concerned about the 99? Of course! However, at the moment, the 99 are safe, fed, and together. The One is lost, and eventually would end up hungry, cold, and maybe dead. That One sheep is in danger, so that One sheep needs more support. The Shepherd leaves the flock to go find the lost One and restore it to the group. If it were me, I’d probably put that sheep towards the middle of the flock so it stays more protected.
One sheep is in danger. One sheep needs more support
When we talk about antibigotry and antiracism, we have to remember who is the 99 and who is the One.
- Racially: Black and Brown people are the One, white people are the 99
- Sexually: Queer people are the One
- Regarding gender: Women and Trans* people are the One
- Financially: Low Income earners are the One
- City-wise: Houseless people are the One
- Ability: People who need ANY assistance living day to day are the One
There are more Ones. Jesus loves all of us equally. And Jesus would also go to great lengths to ensure that the One is supported, uplifted, and encouraged by the 99, as that’s what love is about.
What other Sunday School lessons should we deconstruct?