I really like the song “Reckless Love” by Cory Asbury. But for the longest time, I couldn’t understand what he was saying in the middle of the chorus. (Seth makes fun of me because for some reason I NEVER understand song lyrics.)

I heard, “Oh, it chases me down, fights ‘til I’m found, leaves…” But I couldn’t quite hear how that line ended.

Then one day I finally looked up the lyrics—or maybe we sang it during a church worship service, I can’t remember. That line of the chorus ends like this: “leaves the ninety-nine.”

That’s a powerful reminder of God’s love, leading back to Jesus’s parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15.

Jesus starts off the story like this: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4).

Now, I don’t think I’d be as good of a shepherd as the man in this story. I’m not sure I’d want to leave the ninety-nine sheep in the first place. Those sheep are healthy. They’re safe. They’re comfortable to be around. 

That one lost sheep?

Who knows if it’s even still alive? Who knows what dangers I’ll have to face to find it and bring it home?

But luckily for the lost sheep, this man isn’t like me. He goes after the sheep, carries it back triumphantly on his shoulders, and delights in its safe return. He’s so excited he even calls his neighbors and friends to share the good news.

The moral of Jesus’s parable is this: there will be more rejoicing in heaven over the salvation of one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine people who are already righteous. He shares it in response to criticism from the Pharisees and teachers of the law, who condemned him for hanging out with prostitutes and tax collectors. 

As Christians, our goal is to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ in a hurting world. 

So what are we doing if we only spend time with people who are like us? If we only associate with church people? If we never step out of our comfort zones? If we refuse to communicate with those who are different?

No. We should welcome in all people. Even those who are rejected by society. Because these are the people Jesus longs to bring home.

Let’s follow the example of Jesus to share God’s love with those around us.

And not just with the people who make us feel safe and comfortable. Not just with the people who remind us of ourselves. Jesus calls us to share his love with everyone around us—especially those who need it most.

God’s love is reckless. What would it look like if we, as the church, shared in that reckless love, too? I believe our world would slowly be transformed, one life at a time.

So never forget… you are onederfully created by the God who will always chase you down, even if He has to leave the ninety-nine.

Love,
Becca