1. Why do you think tax collectors (universally known as “corrupt” people) and sinners wanted to hear Jesus? Do you think they were sick of hearing about God in the same old way?
2. Do you have a reputation of hanging out with sinners? How could “welcoming” sinners be a good thing? How could it be a bad thing?
3. I have read this passage before and thought that I would keep my ninety-nine. All the work of getting #100 just isn’t worth it. Dude, I’m lazy.
4. I think shepherds felt a strong obligation to have “no sheep left behind,” kind of like the Marines with their “we’re not leaving anyone behind” mentality.
5. Yeah, I know this story has lost its context in our culture. Nobody really frets over losing 1% of anything these days, but the idea is that God is passionate about searching out that 1%. Who would you think are those people?
6. Now we’ve moved up to 10%. That’s a little more. I can see why a widow would turn her house upside down to find it. I flip out if I lose the remote.
7. Angels celebrate when a sinner repents…
8. If that’s the case, then it makes perfect sense why Jesus wants to be close to sinners. Hey, youth, bring your craziest, most sinful friends to youth with you; and when I get frustrated, remind me that this is God’s will. He’s looking for that 1%. I’ll shut up.
