The stories come, as Jesus’ stories often do, because people are grumbling at him.* He is hanging out with “sinners” again, and the religious folk don’t like it. So Jesus tells two parallel parables, the lost sheep and the lost coin, both of which he likens to repentant sinners. I’m not the first to notice that neither subject is human, nor do they do anything that can reasonably be described as repenting. But that’s beside the point, as it turns out; Jesus is telling these stories not to talk about repentance, but about our response to it. Both parables conclude with a pointed explanation that the proper response to someone’s repentance is joy. Not I told you so, not eye rolls, not crossing your fingers that she or he will have to eat crow. Just… joy.
I thought this was one of Jesus’ easier teachings. After all, I’ve worked with young people for a significant part of my career, so rejoicing over the found sheep might as well be listed on my curriculum vitae. Yesterday a student who had quit his training program in June turned up for the first day of school. I was nothing but happy and relieved to see him.
But my reactions aren’t always so straightforward or generous. When I read about the anti-gay politician who changes her tune because she turns out to have a queer child, or the representative who belatedly realized that his punitive abortion law means that women will die from lack of healthcare, joy is not one of the emotions I experience. Like that muttering group complaining about Jesus, I feel bitterness, disbelief, a little residual rage (“Oh NOW you want to do the right thing, after people have already been harmed?!?”). Joy does not register at all.
But if Jesus can find joy for the repentant tax collectors, why can’t I? If those who used to use their power to oppress others have decided they must do so no longer, isn’t that worthy of celebration? I can sit in the corner and stew over how they should have known better, or I can join the party that the angels are throwing in heaven. Who should know better now?
–Erica Lloyd, Seekers Church
