I could not, would not write on shepherding and omit Jesus’ words about the lost sheep. If we are following our Chief Shepherd as we lead others, we will find ourselves going after the one.
Luke 15
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear [Jesus]. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
If you’re like me, you’ve tried to put names and real-life experiences to help understand this passage. Who are “the ones”? We can define or describe the one in many ways. Maybe it’s the one who doesn’t fit into the four walls of church buildings; the one who has been rejected by religious jargon; the one who is overlooked because they don’t look like, talk like, smell like, act like Christians. Maybe it is the one who isn’t satisfied with candied-apple answers to real questions or the one who is extra, too much, misunderstood. More specifically, maybe it is the one in your small group, the one-time visitor, the one in your family, the one in your class, the one you work with, or the one you see every day at your favorite coffee shop.
If I understand this passage at all, then I understand that the ones matter. They matter a great deal. As leaders, we have the privilege to help our people grow into maturity. Disciples who make disciples, who make disciples, who make disciples. But. We also have the holy opportunity to go after the wanders, sit with the questioners, love on the haters.
In Luke 15, we find a cluster of parables about the lost. Luke makes the point that these parables were a response to the Pharisee’s criticism of Jesus. They were excluding people who needed a savior, healing, hope, life. The Pharisees were basking in the light of their own glory and were handing out judgments instead of good news. Jesus challenged that system and exemplified a different way. He demonstrated a shepherd’s heart.
The blood that flowed from Jesus’ body on the cross and the victory he holds over death is made available to everyone. Churchgoers, church haters, believers, unbelievers, charismatic, reformed, and so on. It extends to the places we wander to and to the places we hide. It extends into our boasting and pride. It reaches without fail, without hesitation. As a disciple and a shepherd, I want to reach with it. It carves a way for me to follow. It gives me a song to sing so others can hear. It is good news!
Back in the day, there was an underground Christian music scene. In the mainstream, we could hear the likes of Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, Larnell Harris. I know every lyric to every Amy Grant song! Anyone else? But underground, there were alternative poets and priests. They were grungy. They held shows in dives and warehouses instead of churches and coliseums. Their lead lines were too cool for Sunday mornings. The lyrics were too honest for Sunday school. And they were awesome! Yeah!
One of these underground bands was the Lost Dogs, and they had a song called “Breathe Deep.” Each verse listed different types of people in a poetically rhythmic, non-melodic kind of way. Between the verses, all four voices of the Lost Dogs broke into a singable, harmonized refrain calling us to Breathe deep, breathe deep the breath of God. Breathe deep, breathe deep the breath of God.
For the first time in my albeit young life, some rather important things occurred to me when I heard this song. 1. Not everyone is born into a God-fearing family like I was. 2. Everyone has the ability and right to encounter God. 3. God is breathing in all kinds of places, not just in church. Here are the lyrics.
"Breathe Deep" by Lost Dogs Politicians, morticians, philistines, homophobes Skinheads, deadheads, tax evaders, street kids Alcoholics, workaholics, wise guys, dimwits Blue collars, white collars, warmongers, peaceniks Breathe deep. Breathe deep the breath of God. Suicidals, rock idols, shut-ins, dropouts Friendless, homeless, penniless and depressed Presidents, residents, foreigners and aliens Dissidents, feminists, xenophobes and chauvinists Breathe deep. Breathe deep the breath of God. Evolutionists, creationists, perverts, slum lords Dead-beats, athletes, Protestants and Catholics Housewives, neophytes, pro-choice, pro-life Misogynists, monogamists, philanthropists, blacks and whites Breathe deep. Breathe deep the breath of God. Police, obese, lawyers, and government Sex offenders, tax collectors, war vets, rejects Atheists, scientists, racists, sadists Biographers, photographers, artists, pornographers Breathe deep. Breathe deep the breath of God. Gays and lesbians, demagogues and thespians The disabled, preachers, doctors and teachers Meat eaters, wife beaters, judges and juries Long hairs, no hairs, everybody everywhere Breathe deep. Breathe deep the breath of God
Today, as I reflect on these lyrics, I see “the ones” Jesus would go after. I see myself in those names. I see family members. I see students, strangers, celebrities, news anchors, influencers. I don’t know of a church that has incorporated this song into their hymnal or chorus rotation. But I’ve heard of a church that is singing this song in their hearts. It’s the Bride of Jesus. It’s his beloved. His beloved that goes after the ones because he taught us how to love. He teaches us to shepherd. He teaches us to reach.
There is an important truth to remember when it comes to the ones. We were the one at some point in our lives. There was a time when we needed a savior. Jesus came after us, carried us to the table of his body and blood, and invited us to partake. And all of heaven rejoiced when we said yes. When we remember this truth, our hearts begin to pump with compassion and wisdom for others.
Each parable in Luke 15 also includes celebrations. “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” (vs.6) “Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.” (vs 9) And when the prodigal son returned home they celebrated BIG: a ring, a robe, and a fat calf.
“For this is my son that was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they celebrated. (vs 24)
Think about the people around you. Each person is designed for relationship with God, created to live in Christ. To be found. To be celebrated. As shepherds, we get to point people to Christ. Sometimes that happens within the building of our churches or reach of our positions. And, sometimes, the Holy Spirit invites us on a field trip.
Jesus, help us value the ones. To watch and pray. To seek and reach with you and demonstrate your crazy love.
.…at the roots of our being is the preposterous willingness of God to meet you where you are…and bring you home.
— Paula Rinehart from Better Than My Dreams
Brave Sparrow 
I love His field trips!! They’re usually beyond the outer edges of the comfort zone. I love this!!
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