We all like a bargain in life, getting the most for our money or investment. If I give this much, how much will I get in return? What’s the safest bet?
“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?”
My guess is that most of us would stay with the ninety-nine to make sure they are ok and hope for the best for the one who ran away. Why? Because according to the world’s standards that would be the common-sense thing to do.
But then Jesus is not about the way the world does things. Some examples from the author Robert Cappon.
‘A father who does not trade forgiveness for good behavior, but who kisses the prodigal son before he gets the confession out of his mouth.
“A vineyard owner who pays what he pleases not what the laborers earn.
“A Shepherd who allows no sensible business considerations to keep him from leaving ninety-nine sheep to bring one lost one, home.”
‘A wheat grower who runs his farm not for profit but for letting everything grow as it pleases till the end.”
“A carpenter from Nazareth who saves the world by sacrificing his own life.”
Remember the words of St. Paul, “if anyone among you considers himself wise in this age let him become a fool, so as to become wise.”
“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the eyes of God.”
This may all seem strange until you reflect on the message of the Gospels. For they tell us of the expansive generous love of God.
For Jesus, Salvation is a gift given, not a bargain struck.