1Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. 2But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."
3Then Jesus told them this parable: 4"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' 7I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
Luke 15:1-7
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It was an accident. He was right there with us. I assumed that he hopped into the car in which he had been riding to winter retreat. The folks in that car thought he was in one of the other cars. Ten minutes down the road my cell phone rang.
“Is Freddie in your car?”
“Uhhh, no. Isn’t he in your car?”
He wasn’t in anyone’s car. Somehow after the revelry just outside Arby’s, jumping in snow banks, etc., Freddie hadn’t seen the car he was riding in so went around to the other side of the building when we all left.
After I had been called, I called his cell and, because he had run out of minutes, I got a recording about it being temporarily unavailable. What to do?
Thankfully Freddie didn’t panic. He was found about twenty minutes later after his car turned around and picked him up.
This sort of thing does happen from time to time when you have groups of people and multiple cars. Sometimes you go searching and can’t find where you’re supposed to be. At other times the group can’t find you.
You may be assured that on the way home, everyone made sure Freddie was with us. No one was left behind because we were all diligent about ensuring that we were together.
As I walk around campus or look out the window of the ROC House, I wonder how many of the people walking around are actually lost. How many of them are living lives disconnected from Jesus? I wonder what it takes to find them.
We’re giving away cocoa at the gate on Friday (2/26). It’s one of the things we do to express Jesus’ love and His desire to find his sheep. He’s willing to leave all the others of us “found” folks in the open field to find one of his strayed sheep. There are other things that we do in order to be part of this seeking Lord’s mission. We’re grateful that we get to partner with Him in His work.
We’re also very thankful to those of you who continue to support this ministry of students and faculty here at OU. Our financial support team has lost a few folks due to lost jobs and reconfigured giving. The current economic climate is difficult for everyone. Please pray for the many families who are without work. Encourage them and help them as you are able. Please also pray for ROC as we continue to seek after Jesus’ sheep.
Thank you!
Rich
