What Lives Matter?: Considering Luke 15:1-7

 Well, here we are, my first blog post in this series. Before we get into the issue at hand, I just want to say that this isn't my way of bashing any particular movement. This post is intended to correct an incorrect interpretation/application of scripture. So, without further explanation, here is the post:

"“If you are a Christian, and can’t hear #BlackLivesMatter without feeling the need to respond with a criticism that “All Live Matter.” then crack open your Bible and hit up Luke 15. Don't have it handy? Let me summarize it for you. There are 100 sheep, but one goes missing. Jesus leaves the 99 and goes after the one.

The 99: But… what about us? Don’t we matter?

Of course the 99 still matter, but they’re not the ones in danger

The one is. 

I’ll say it again, #BlackLivesMatter (Jared Price)”

What is the claim of the OP?

Jesus is speaking directly to racial inequality. And this text points out that Jesus cares for the one that is in danger. More specifically, an oppressed people group.

Is the claim of the OP fair and faithful to the text?

Answer: No

Why?

The text isn’t speaking of racial inequality. The text is speaking directly to the hypocrisy of the Scribes and Pharisees. How is that the case? He points out the purpose of it in verse 7:

“Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” 

Who is the people group that Jesus is talking about? Sinners. Why is this hypocritical of the Pharisees? They thought that they weren’t sinners.

The thinking of the ninety-nine (the scribes and Pharisees which Jesus is confronting) has nothing to do with the race or struggles of the one. It has everything to do with the Pharisees not wanting to mix with sinners and bring them into the fold of God. Why were the Pharisees concerned about this?

Because the Pharisees thought that they were righteous by separating themselves from sin and sinners and that salvation was only through being born into the line of Israel

The one sheep shouldn’t be viewed as “in danger” because the text doesn’t use that word. The word used is “lost”. Not indicating danger, but the inability of the sheep to return to the flock unless the Shepherd seeks it and finds it. This also points out the failure of the Pharisees to do the same thing because of their self-righteousness.

The Text of Luke 15 is not referring to racism. But to the salvation that is offered to the world, and received by those that would be sought out by the Great shepherd

What Should we take from this text?

We should recognize

    1. Jesus not only welcomes sinners, but he seeks after sinners. He doesn't allow any of his sheep to be lost. Instead, Christ came into the world to save lost and wandering sinners. Sinners who cannot find their way back to the fold. Christ is the good shepherd that doesn't abandon his people. 

    2. Jesus is confronting the self-righteousness of the Pharisees. How were they self-righteous? They failed to recognize that Jesus was also with them. The Pharisees were lumped in with the sinners; however, they believed that they could obtain their righteousness by works and avoiding sinners. However, the gospel message doesn't illustrate that some are righteous, but that "none are righteous, no not one" (according to Romans 3:10). The gospel's message is that righteousness is only found through Christ's life, death, and resurrection, the one that came to seek and save the lost. 

    3. This also confronted the failure of the people of Israel to bring people into the people of God. Believe it or not, the law was given so that people could recognize God's supremacy and holiness and point out that He was the only way that anybody could receive the promise of salvation, now found in Christ. However, the Pharisees focused so much on themselves and remaining "holy" (which Christ clearly pointed out that they weren't holy). They were abandoning the mission of God: to seek and save the lost.

    4. This is something that we as Christians should respond to and resonate with. We weren't given the gospel of Christ to not share the good news of salvation. We were given the good news and salvation to bring it to the world. The good news isn't that "people are generally good and should add Jesus onto their already good lives" the good news is that people are totally depraved, incapable of producing any good outside of their arrogance and boasting, yet Christ came to save sinners. 

Let us, together, bring the gospel to a lost world. Proclaim Christ and Him crucified.

"For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen"

Romans 11:36

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