Jesus’ parable about the lost sheep has always struck a chord in me. I appreciate the willingness of our Lord and savior giving the extra effort for each of us. Sadly, not every lost sheep wants to be rescued from the wilderness. Too often we convince ourselves we can manage on our own, or perhaps worse, that God’s grace is a con game, with God playing the role of uncaring huckster trying to steal who we are. The world is filled with people who believe a variant of those lies, and would rather be cut and broken by the wild beasts of the woods, or succumb to delusions brought on by the poisons of the world, than ask for rescue.
Because of my affinity for the parable, I have a particular fondness for stories about people who have lost their way, and the movie Into the Wild is a favorite, and one of the most painful to watch. Based on a true story, it chronicles a college graduate’s decision to travel first across the United States, from Georgia to California, work and save enough money to then head north to Alaska. Once in Alaska he lives on his own, hunting and fishing for his food, using abandoned wrecks for his shelter. The story ends tragically, with the young man dying apart from his family and friends, and anyone else for that matter.
Stories such as Into the Wild have a sobering effect, reminding me of how precious grace is, how resilient and unyielding it is to calamity or misfortune. But it is only tenaciously strong once I accept it, as I come before God acknowledging how completely unable I am to fend for myself, asking for his son to be the one that takes me through the wilderness. It is the most precious gift possible, and it is available to all of us, the lost sheep of this world.
Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Luke 15
