Redeemed

Is it better to leave and return or to never leave?

‘Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven. What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost. ‘If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax-collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.’ - Matthew 18:10-20

Today's Gospel reading reminds me of the story of the Prodigal Son.  

In that story, the son who never leaves feels slighted by the father who goes out of his way to accept the return of the son who left after treating the father poorly.

It doesn't seem right to focus all our attention on the redemption of those who stray, but that does seem to be Jesus' mission, right?  He even said he didn't come for the righteous.

Jesus tells the believers that it is God's will that all shall be saved, so it is up to us to do the work of trying to save them.  That's a tall order.

But some don't want to be regained into the community.  Those, Jesus says, should be given a couple of chances, with help form others, and then let be.

We cannot save everyone, he tells them.  

There is a point at which it is ok to give up.  And that's good news, for so many spend their lives trying to get sons or daughters, husbands or wives to turn around, to change.  It could be a losing proposition for some.

In the end, we may just have to ask God for help, knowing when we gather in Jesus' name, he is there among us.

More to come...