Luke 15:3-7 NAB
Jesus addressed this parable to the Pharisees and scribes: “What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbours and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.” ”
Reflection
The Pharisees hated the tax collectors and sinners and would never associate with them. They considered them as outcast of society and could not accept Jesus being with them. Jesus knew the murmurings in their heart and told them two parables to illustrate God’s great and forgiving love. Firstly, the faithful love of the shepherd for his sheep. With consternation, he looked for that one lost sheep leaving the rest on dangerous terrain, vulnerable to wolves. Similarly, the woman who lost a coin, a day’s worth of hard-earned money, searched untiringly until it was found. Upon finding something dear to their hearts, both the shepherd and the woman were filled with relief and great joy. Likewise, the tax collectors and sinners were dear to God’s heart. He longed for these lost souls to return to Him. With great relief and joy, He would welcome them back into His loving arms.
Corporate Leadership
There are usually a few people that most staff and colleagues consider as “weird”. They may have bad social etiquette; they are demanding and rude or just plain quiet. Eventually, everyone learns to keep a distance from them. The Pharisees treated tax collectors similarly. The latter were considered traitors because they collected money from their own people, included a commission for themselves and sent the money to the Roman rulers. To associate with them was considered an endorsement of their way of life. However, Jesus saw them as God’s children and taught them nonetheless. They would be entitled to the share of the heavenly kingdom. Likewise, a good leader makes friends with such people. Social “outcasts” of the company are also employees who contribute to the overall productivity. Hence, a good leader is inclusive of such staffs in meetings, social outings such that they feel they belonged. – XW
Family Leadership
Like the Pharisees, parents may find one child more acceptable than the others. The intelligent, obedient and better looking child is favoured while the disobedient and slower child is tolerated. Through non-verbal cues and tone of voice, parents betray their favouritism and children know if they are liked or despised. Jesus teaches that God greatly loves all His children and is untiring in reaching out to those who seem lost and forsaken. Like the shepherd and the woman who untiringly gave much time to recover what was lost, parents have to realise that the children deemed less appealing will need more of their time to recover their lost esteem. Instead of concentrating on their pride and joy, parents can purposefully give more time and attention to the less favoured child. In return, they will find great relief and joy when that child begins to respond to their loving efforts. – XW
