How long has it been since you wept over the thought of someone dying without Jesus Christ in their lives? Luke 15 utilizes three parables told by Jesus in order to illustrate how we should search for lost souls. In each of the situations; with the lost sheep, coin and son, there is a celebration when that which is lost finally is found. Apparently, Jesus faced great criticism from the religiously pious (Pharisees) for his welcome of ALL and his association with "Sinners." As Jesus tells these stories he reminds them and us of the mission of God.
Interestingly, the stories progress from the country side search for lost livestock, the turning of the house upside down to find the lost coin to finally an illustration of the patient father waiting for the son to come home. There are 100 sheep, but one is lost. There are 10 coins, but one is lost. There are two sons, but one is lost. Jesus illustrates that the lost and valued sheep must be found for a sheep can't find his own way home. The coin must be found for it is an inanimate object, but one of worth. However, the lost son is deduced to finding himself before he can decide to come home. Ironically, the lost son is not the one who was considered the "Sinner." Even though he is far off in a distant land living a life filled with debauchery, Jesus demonstrates that he may be closer to the father in spirit than the eldest is in proximity. Instead, the lost son is the responsible and trustworthy son who stayed home, but was filled with bitterness, envy and judgement. For the eldest son there was no need for celebration even for such a valued person as his own brother. Jesus illustrates the state of the religious order in his day.
If you have not wept over someone who is lost without the Lord Jesus, maybe you should mourn the fact that you may have become more like the eldest brother. If you can't celebrate when the lost is found, maybe you should check your heart to see if it is in tune with the Fathers. Maybe you should mourn if you are more concerned over your losses in the stock market than you are over lost souls. Maybe you should be concerned if you are more overwhelmed by the needs of the 99 in the fold than you are by the lost state of the one.
Maybe your search for the lost should start in your church, your family or even your mirror?
No comments:
Post a Comment