A Pew research center survey tells us three things about non-Christians' behind story in America.
No 1. If some people identify themselves as non-believers, you need to know that 78% of them were believers in God when they were young.
No 2. 49% of them appear to have completely lost their faith because they identify themselves as unbelievers.
No 3. 48% of people haven't completely lost their faith yet, but they lost the purpose of the mission of the Church that Jesus Christ has taught us. These people claim that “Institutional religion will not save anyone,” “I believe that religion is a very personal conversation with my creator and me.” Some of them could say “I am spiritual but not religious” and I am inactive in religious gatherings.[1]
The Parable of the Lost Sheep is the message for them, and also it is the message for faithful Christians like you and me too.
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
The parable of the lost sheep offers a powerful lesson: God has sent Jesus Christ as a Master shepherd to seek out those who have completely lost their faith and are wandering in the wilderness. Additionally, He has given a brand-new purpose to those who have lost their spiritual identity, encouraging them to be a part of the Church and fulfill the mission of God again.
The shepherd's primary intention is to value, seek, and care for the lost one that has gone astray. It emphasizes the shepherd's compassion and cares toward his flock, specifically focusing on the lost sheep. At the same time, the shepherd values those who are already in the community and patiently waits for him in the mountains.
Why Shepherd left 99 to find one?
In this parable, Jesus tells the story of a good shepherd with a hundred sheep. He noticed that one of them was missing, so he left the ninety-nine sheep on the mountain and searched for the lost one. The shepherd tirelessly searched until he found it, and when he found, he joyfully carried it back to the flock.
It means he's willing to do whatever it takes to find the lost person. It also means a lot to us because you and I can be the ones who are lost. It is Jesus' word of promise for you and me. Be confident when you feel lost because he will find us and take us to a suitable place.
The other lesson is that lost sheep need ninety-nine sheep to come back to and stay with them. Because they are a safe place for the lost sheep. The reason why Jesus Christ established the church community and encouraged us to come together to worship God is clear. A church community is a place where Christians gather, support, and embrace one another and pray for physical health, as well as spiritual and emotional well-being.
Movie “Cast Away”
“Cast Away” is the survival story of a man named Chuck who becomes stranded on an uninhabited island after a plane crash. In the movie, he learns how to survive on the island by finding food, building shelter, and overcoming various challenges.
The greatest problem he faces is the overwhelming feeling of loneliness. Chuck finds himself completely alone on the island, except for a volleyball he names "Wilson," who becomes his best friend. He struggles with this sense of isolation and desperately longs to reunite with the community.
99 in the Mountain
What will happen to the 99 sheep when the shepherd left them in the open field? I heard some people say that the shepherd who left 99 of his sheep to find the lost one made an unwise decision because 99 is a greater number than just one. They continue to express their opinion, stating, “If I were a shepherd, I would not take any risks and leave 99 sheep for the one that I lost.”
What do you think? My answer is “I will say what Jesus said in Matthew 22:29.” “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.” The meaning of the open field on the mountain is a sheep pen made of rocks around the four corners, but without a roof, and with a junior shepherd. Shepherding was a family business, most of the time. The shepherd accompanied by his sons or nephews.
I have many biblical evidences.
- Abraham was shepherd and he always worked with his nephew “Lot” because he did not have a son yet.
- David was the youngest one and always stayed with his father’s sheep when his father had to other business.
Illustration
My parents were farmers, and initially, they had five sons and three daughters, but they lost two of them. They always worked in the fields before the sun rose and returned home when the sun went down, doing their best to feed us. As the seventh son, I grew up without full parental support.
However, I had an older brother who was 13 years older than me. He took on the responsibility of taking care of the household and established rules as if he were a king over us. I did not like him for acting in such a way, but my father gave him the authority to look after his siblings in his absence. It was my father's second plan for his sons and daughters.
The mission of the Church
Symbolically, the 99 sheep represent the faithful believers who did not go astray and faithfully serve God and love people in the Church. In 1 Peter 5:2-4 “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”
Conclusion
Belonging to the community is one of the largest reasons people to come to church. Spiritual isolation is a silent killer of your spiritual vitality. If Christian separate from God and lose our identity, we could suffer with spiritual emptiness, moral confusion, loss of spiritual growth, lack of community spiritual support. These are typical spiritual symptoms that appear when a Christian is spiritually isolated from a place of worshiping God.
Practical Application
There are several practical applications of how a faithful Christian, as a junior shepherd, can actively involve themselves in the mission of the Church.
- Understand the mission and purpose of the Church.
- Engage in worship and fellowship, participate in regular worship services to strengthen your spiritual growth, and connect with fellow believers.
- Share your faith by sharing the message of love, hope, and salvation with others at any given opportunity.
- Live by example in your daily life. Demonstrate love, kindness, forgiveness, and integrity in your interactions with others.
- Support the Church with your time, energy, and finance to carry out its mission effectively.
[1] https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2016/08/24/why-americas-nones-left-religion-behind/
@ 05.28.23 Pastor Cloud Poy
@ Photo: Unsplash의Antonello Falcone - The Wiseman
