Fiction

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THE NINETY-NINE


“If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?” Jesus inquired (Matt. 18:12). This likely implies that he leaves someone else to care for them in his absence, but this may not have been obvious to the flock at the time. What then? We are thus introduced to an imaginary discussion among certain of the other members of the flock.
# 63. “Since the lost sheep wandered off, it is his fault, and it should pay the consequences. That will work as a deterrent for other sheep who are similarly tempted. This errant shepherd should have exercised his common sense, and considered the broader implications.”
# 14. “The problem with common sense is that it is so uncommon,” its cynical companion replied. “People are so undependable. Here today, and gone tomorrow.”
# 78. “What about our needs!” another exclaimed. “Should we be expected to find green pastures and still waters? Certainly not, since that is the task of the shepherd. Should we have to negotiate the rocky paths? Assuredly not, since that too should be the shepherd’s obligation. Should we have to manage the deep ravines, where wild beasts and thieves await us? Not if forsaken by the shepherd” (cf. Psa. 23:2-4).
# 63. “Perhaps we should hide in the brush, so when he returns, he will have second thoughts about leaving us,” the initial critic speculated. “Treat him with the same lack of consideration as he exhibited toward us. Return evil for evil, so that both he and we shall benefit.”
# 11. “But what if he doesn’t return?” still another speculated. “We will be left to fend for ourselves. We have to take into consideration our own welfare.”
# 78. “Perhaps we can recruit a replacement,” an earlier speaker speculated. “There must be more responsible persons available. Although the burdens may outweigh the benefits of serving as a shepherd.”
# 42. “By reducing our number, we would make the task easier,” a previously silent member of the flock observed. “There was a time when life from conception to natural death was thought sacred, but now life begins when certain individuals or groups decide it does, and is valuable only as long as it is wanted.” At this, several sheep nodded their heads in approval.
# 63. “Both the lost sheep and shepherd must share the blame,” the most vocal of the sheep concluded. “As for the former, it was not content to dwell among us. As for the latter, he left without regard for us. It would be fitting if they perished together.”
# 11. “Perhaps the shepherd meant to teach us something,” a before mentioned sheep speculated. “If so, he failed to make his point. Why would anyone want to put ninety-nine at risk, while attempting to rescue an undeserving stray?”
It did not occur to the flock to inquire as to the context of this puzzling departure of their shepherd. In this regard, “Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, ‘This man welcomes sinners and eats with them’” (Luke 15:1-2). Tax collectors solicited the criticism of the populace for using their office to charge increased fees, and sinners were those said to be religiously non-observant. Conversely, the Pharisees and teachers of the law were recognized for their meticulous observance of religious detail.
Who was the shepherd? “The Rabbis attached no less value to repentance than Jesus. They, too, urged that God cared more for the repentant than for the just who never yielded to sin. They, too welcomed the sinner in his repentance,” Rabbi Montefiore allows. “But to seek out the sinner, and, instead of avoiding the bad companion, to choose him as your friend in order to work his moral redemption, this was, I fancy, something new in the religious history of Israel” (“Jesus and the Rabbis,” Jesus—Hugh Anderson, ed., p. 156).
All things considered, what were the results? In this instance, the lost sheep was recovered. What else? There was rejoicing in heaven, as an incentive for others to likewise rejoice. Anything else? There were critics, who distanced themselves from the lost sheep and shepherd in his attempt to recover the straying animal. As for the discussion among the sheep, it is said that fiction may contain more truth than that which claims to be true. Moreover, this may serve as a case in point.

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