Living 4 Him

I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you.  John 14:18

Why did Jesus use parables, stories with a somewhat hidden learning, to teach the people? The disciples had this question for Jesus as well.  In Matthew 13:11-13 Jesus responds that not all hearts accept his ideas, so his words are sometimes concealed in a story to see which hearts will pursue the truth of the message.  Those who are truly concerned with the parable’s meaning will think about it,

desire to know more,

study possible conclusions,

and find truth to help them live their lives.

Exactly what we are doing this Lenten Season! Seeking to know more about Jesus’ parables, so we can live better lives.  While parables are not always easy to understand, the process of seeking to understand strengthens our commitment to God and his ways. This week we discover that our seeking leads to a God who is always seeking us!

The entire 15th chapter of Luke is dedicated to 3 parables about something that is lost.  The telling of these stories was sparked by a teacher of the law muttering that Jesus “welcomes sinners and eats with them.”  In these illustrations we see how God views sinners and the joyous results when sinners find a path to God.

The first parable describes a man who has 100 sheep and loses one of them.  Determined to find the stray sheep, he leaves the 99, safe in the open country, and goes to find his lost one, rejoicing and celebrating when he brings back the missing sheep.

The second parable is about a woman who lost a coin.  She lights a lamp, sweeps every corner of her house and searches carefully until the coin is found.  She also, in great delight, rejoices that what she has lost is found!

The third parable tells of a man with two sons; one who stays and works diligently with him, one who leaves and squanders his money on meaningless living.  The son who left realizes the error of his ways when he finds himself hungry with nothing to feed himself.  So he returns home, where his needs can be met and humbles himself to become one of the servants.  But his father in great compassion greets him with rejoicing and celebration, for he has returned to the place where he is needed most.

With each parable, Jesus details elements of God’s character.  God is the man searching for the one sheep; important in His eyes, worthy to pursue. God is the woman searching her house from top to bottom, persisting in her endeavors.  God is the father, waiting and receiving his son with open arms.

In each story, the act of being found results in abundant joy and celebration.  This translates to the rejoicing that happens in heaven each time a lost soul returns to God.  Jesus also illustrates the varied paths that lead back to God: He pursues us.  He searches for the best route to bring us home.  He helps us find our way back. He waits for us with open arms.  Lost is not a word in God’s dictionary, but an item on his to-do list.  He will find what is lost.

The word “lost” makes me think about the countless times that something we need is misplaced, its whereabouts unknown.  The item we possessed is no longer there.  Frustration! Confusion! Frantic hunting! These emotions describe a life detached or separated from God.  Our lives are only complete, whole, assured and restful when we are found by God.

His hand of love . . . always reaching, always steering, always believing.

You are never lost, always found.

Reaching in (allowing God’s word to work in your soul):

Reread the “lost” parables from Luke 15.  Experience God’s joy in each one. Read John 14:15-20.  In response to his disciples’ concerns that Jesus is going away, he starts to teach them about the Holy Spirit, who will be their constant companion after he dies and is resurrected.  Reflect upon our gift of the Holy Spirit who keeps us found in God.

Reaching out (taking God’s work into the world):

A Prayer for the Lost

God of the Heavens, God of all,

We put our hope in your loving compassion that seeks to find the lost.

There are parts of our hearts that feel lost.  Find our lost hearts and fill them with your love and wisdom.

There are people who feel lost.  Find them and lead them on a path to your heart.

There are parts of our country and our world that are lost.  Find these lost places and may your goodness and wisdom arise in every situation, so that every lost person or place becomes a shining light of your Kingdom. 

In the name of our Savior Jesus, we pray.  Amen.