Lost, Lost, Lost...

Lost!  The word evokes an emotional response.  It causes us to recall things that have been removed from our use - often against our will.  It denotes a sense of irrevocability and helplessness.  When we lose something...really lose it...all that remains in the newly-created void is a mournful awareness that we are missing what we once possessed. Often times when we lose something, we are prone to expend massive amounts of energy looking for it, trying to regain it.  

Luke 15:1-2 records the Pharisees' complaint that Jesus was receiving "sinners" and eating with them.  They effectively are asking, "Why would Jesus hang out with such people?" In response, Jesus told them three parables about things that are lost:

Luke 15:4-7 - The Lost Sheep

Jesus tells the tale of a shepherd having lost one of his sheep.  Remember, this is a response to the remark of the pharisees.  Jesus is effectively answering the complaint by showing the relationship that God (and thereby He, Jesus) has with the "sinners" with whom Jesus was eating.  "Why am I receiving these sinners?  Because I am the Shepherd, and they are my lost sheep. I am trying to retrieve them!"

Luke 15:8-10 - The Lost Coin

Jesus relates the parable of the lost coin.  In response to the indignant remarks concerning Jesus "receiving sinners and eating with them," He responds with common-sense reasoning that communicates the point, "Why am I eating with these people?  Because they are my lost coins, and I am trying to get them back!"

Luke 15:11-32 - The Lost Son

Jesus illustrates further with the familiar story of the prodigal son.  The interesting fact about this story is that while a sheep cannot find its way without the shepherd and a coin has no way of helping itself, this parable focuses on the limitations that an unfaithful son places on his father.  The father was limited to waiting and watching for his wayward son to decide to come back.  While a sheep is pretty much at the mercy of the shepherd and a coin is at the mercy of its owner, the son had to choose to return.  

Truths From the Parables

• First, in each parable there is joy when what was lost is regained.
• Second, in each parable Jesus communicates the great value of what was lost.  A sheep, a coin, and a son were all things that the Jews would understand as having great value.  The Pharisees and Scribes failed to understand the great value that God (and thereby Jesus) placed - and still places - on those that are lost.
• Third, the Jewish leaders' disapproval of Jesus' actions was flat wrong (like the older brother in the third parable).  They should have been happy that Jesus was reaching out to regain the lost.

A Parting Word

Realize that God lost us when sin entered the world.  When mankind was separated from Him, God was apart from those that He loved, John 3:16.  Isaiah 59:2 explains very clearly the effect of sin upon the relationship between God and men, "But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear." Almighty God had lost something that He wanted back.  Do you remember something...someone...you have lost?  How much would you give to recoup that loss?  Realize that this is how God views you.

Though God had lost us to sin, He was "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance," 2 Peter 3:9.  God wanted his lost people back, and went to the great lengths of sacrificing His Son to regain us, John 3:16.  Imagine being lost in a place that you didn't know.  Imagine that the place is dangerous and would kill you, but you had no way to get out.  Now, imagine watching someone who loves you facing and traversing all kinds of obstacles to get you back.  That is what God did to get His people back.  Jesus died so that God could regain what had been lost.  That's what Luke 19:10 is all about.  Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost!  

Christians, let us remember that we are the ones over which God has rejoiced when He regained us.  Let us also remember that we ought to see those outside of Christ with the same value that God sees them.  They are precious to Him, and should be to us.  Let us serve as God's messengers, helping Him regain those precious ones who are lost to Him.  If ever you have regained something that was lost, remember that feeling.  We are helping God regain what was lost.

Had It Not Been the Lord

Had it not been the Lord who was on our side,

Had it not been the Lord who was on our side,

     The anger of the enemy would have swallowed us alive,

Had it not been the Lord who was on our side.

Had it not been the Lord who was on our side,

Had it not been the Lord who was on our side,

     The waters would have engulfed us, we would have surely died,

Had it not been the Lord who was on our side.

Blessed be the Lord, who would not give us up!

Blessed be the Lord, for His unfailing love!

The snare is broken and we have escaped;

Our help is in the name of the Lord!

Blessed be the Lord!