The “lost” parables reveal a strange truth about Jesus and a blind spot for many Christians.

For as much as we want Jesus to treat everyone the same, He doesn’t. And in the Parable of the Lost Sheep, Jesus contrasts the sinners with the righteous. He argues that the sinner who is redeemed brings GOD much more pleasure than the righteous who are already there, inside the metaphorical tent.

I’m certain this troubles us because we don’t truly understand GOD’s interests–particularly as it relates to redemption and our participation in the event of redemption. We expect GOD to regularly pat good people on the head, assuring us with a “Good Dog!” voice.

This is our gravest sin as Christians, I fear. That we, like the “good” son in the prodigal story, storm out, rejecting GOD’s work of redemption and ignoring our very proximity to GOD’s love. We’re jealous of the love GOD has for the redeemed, that like Cain, we try to steal it.

This sequence of parables begins with Jesus speaking to a big crowd that is swelling with traitors and sinners–the dregs of society. The righteous leaders are grumbling. So Jesus tells three stories and explains GOD’s pleasure in redemption. As I invited the congregation to explore this division. I did so knowing how many no doubt think they’re broken or in need of attention. How many are hoping for the love GOD promises. Believing it is deserved.

For most of us, however, that promise was long ago fulfilled.

Sunday, we were a room full of the 99 sheep left in pursuit of the 1. And I realize that maybe we don’t know how to throw a party or how to attend a party that GOD throws, because we never really claim our rightful identity in the story. Always thinking we’re the lost sheep, we don’t know how to be one already found.

Jesus tells us to cheer for the one that is found. Maybe we ought to start there.