Finding the Lost

On Sunday we considered Jesus’ story of the Lost Sheep. It is a story about 99 sheep safely contained in a sheepfold but one sheep that had got lost. It was that one that the shepherd went to find. The shepherd brought the sheep back - found when it had been lost; safe when it had been in danger; belonging when it had been isolated.

A couple of years ago I was on a course for disabled leaders in the church. We had the opportunity to ask question of the authors of a book entitled “At the Gates” - a book about disabled people’s experience of church. I asked one of them how they would respond to the suggestion that there are so few disabled people in church that we shouldn’t bother to make churches more accessible (physically and culturally). Her response was simple - she pointed me to the parable of the lost sheep.

There are people who feel isolated and left out. Overlooked by society and by the church. And yet Jesus’ story of the shepherd who took the time to find the one sheep who was isolated is a guide for us all. Let’s challenge ourselves to do what we can to ensure that those who feel isolated, left out and overlooked know that they belong.