Gospel – Matthew 17 – 19

It is hard to read today’s passage and not have the image you see on the right stick closely to my mind.

Bible Passage:
Matthew 17 – 19

I am sure even before reading, you will know which portion of the sciptures I want to focus on today.

The Ninety and Nine. This hymn never fails to move me to tears when sung during Holy Communion.

The picture of a loving Shepherd, facing all the dangers and not caring for his own safety, crossing the deep ravines and climbing the steep hills, just to seek for one who is lost … me.

You might wonder why I chose to focus on this today.  In fact, the recording of the Shepherd leaving the ninety nine sheep behind to seek for the one lost sheep is ‘lost’ in the midst of all the other happenings (blink and you miss it… and in case you did, it is in Matthew 18:12-14).

Unlike in Luke 15 where Jesus spoke of the 3 ‘lost’ parables, this parable was not given prominence in Matthew’s recording.  And yet, it spoke so loudly to me today.

What do you think of when you read or sing this parable?

Most of us will think about our conversion.  We remember our struggles to the day of baptism when we have managed to come under the holy name of Jesus.  We remember our initial joy and happiness.  We are thankful that God has chosen to send His only beloved Son into this world to seek us out and bring us back to the fold.

A Word From Our Sponsors:

For more about “Great Verses In The Bible – John 3:16”, please join us for the Katong Home Fellowship this Sunday afternoon at 4.30 pm @ TK Church.  You will never read John 3:16 in the same way ever again!

Sorry about that… could not help it 🙂  Attending a home bible fellowship is another great way to learn more about the Word together.

Ok… back to what I was trying to say before I got distracted.

When we read about the Ninety and Nine, we often think of the great moments in our life of faith.  But sometimes, we fail to recognize that Jesus even seeks us out in the small things in our every day life of faith.

I am not sure I am saying it correctly but just look at today’s passage and see if we can see ourselves in the different situations:

• The disciples could not heal the epileptic boy and Jesus rebuked them for their unbelief – having not even faith the size of a mustard seed and not resorting to fasting and prayer.
• The disciples wanted to know who will be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven and received instead a lesson in humility and the need to be like a little child.
• Peter thought that he was full of love when he asked Jesus if it was sufficient for him to forgive someone 7 times… only to learn that forgiveness does not lie in the number of times forgiveness is given, but in whether you forgive from the heart.
• The disciples thought they were doing the right thing in stopping the children from coming to Jesus, only to be reminded of the lesson that Jesus just taught that children are important.
• The almost perfect young man who did everything the Scriptures said but failed when Jesus wanted more from him.
• The disciples then asked the Lord what kind of rewards they can expect in heaven, having given up all things for Jesus.  They heard what they wanted to hear but little did they expect the final words of Jesus that “… many who are first will be last, and the last first” (remember Pr Aun Quek’s sermon last Sat?).

Do we see ourselves in the different situations?

Despite following Jesus for a long time our faith remains shallow and small.

We struggle for things we think are important and forget what Jesus wants from us is a pure and simple faith.

We speakabout love and forgiveness and encourage others to do so.  But when it comes to our turn to forgive, we fail to meet God’s standards.

We think we have done a lot for God because:

• We are leaders in this Committee
• We teach in that REU class
• We attend services 4 times a week
• We have many other responsibilities in Church

But when God requires that little bit more from us – we don’t do it because we think we have done enough.  We think it is time someone else do the work.

The Good Shepherd never thought one more lost soul was too much for Him – even though He had already gone to seek and carried back many many other souls.  In the Gospels, we constantly read about how much Jesus gave to those that neede Him.  And how He seeks those who are lost.

And also how He, with great love and mercy, constantly showed the disciples what was right and what was wrong.  Even though time and time again the disciples faltered and did not do the right thing, Jesus forgave and showed them what they ought to do.

Pretty much the same for us today isn’t it?

We may not have strayed very far from the fold.  But if you ever taught in the younger REU classes, you will know how tiring it can be to constantly go after the wandering child.

But Jesus did.

And I am so grateful that He did. And He still does today.

P.S.  Did you see the video link hidden in today’s post?  Seek and ye shall find 🙂  Hint:  It’s the magic figure of 99 🙂