Lost and Found

Now ... the sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the Scribes murmured, saying, 'This man receives sinners ...’ (Luke 15: 1,2)

Luke 15; Matt. 9:11-13 and 15:2-6; John. 5:41-43

What Is God Saying?

Chapter 15 of Luke is known as the chapter of the lost. It is also the chapter for the lost. Jesus gives us three of His best remembered parables-the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. Each is a strong encouragement for those who have lost their way. God loves the lost. God seeks the lost. God finds the lost. Note how each of the parables ends with rejoicing (15:6, 15:9-10, 15:23-24). But only repentant sinners can know this truth and experience this joy. That is why it was sinners who were always drawing near to hear him and only the religious elite, the proudly self-righteous, who stood back and complained. Publicans and sinners who know they are lost respond with joy to these parables. They can relate to being lost through folly as sheep who nibble themselves lost or being lost by carelessness as a coin is lost, or being lost by willfulness as a prodigal is lost. The super religious who don't know they are lost cannot relate to these parables.

How Does This Apply To Us?

These stories of the lost are lost to all who feel they are not lost. The proud cannot know the joy of being found because, in their mind, they were never lost in the first place. The elder brother missed all the joy of reunion because he had neither love nor pity for the brother who failed to live up to his standards. Those who are judgmental always miss the joy. God loves us enough to search for us, as the Shepherd searched for the one lost sheep. Coming to Jesus, feeling the touch of His love, and going in search of others, for His sake, is far better than standing back and finding fault. Those who have tasted His grace can never be critical of those who are lost or of Him who does the finding.

Pray With Me

Thank You, Lord, that sinners are welcomed in the presence of Your holy love. Thank You for receiving sinners. Thank You for receiving me, ‘God be merciful to me a sinner.’ With these words and in the company of all those You have come to seek and to save, I draw near to hear. I will not run away to be spared the pain of hearing. I will not hide in the shadows of fear when, in a moment of decision, my heart may be lifted into the warmth of Your love. I would rather be among the sinners who can hear than among the self-righteous who cannot hear.

Lord, remove from me all selfish and foolish pride. Pride can only murmur. It can only criticize. It can only complain. It can only miss Your saving words, Your healing touch, and Your redeeming love. I choose the better part. I will draw near, through the low door of humility, across the strong threshold of faith, along the joyous path of forgiveness, and into the beautiful and restful garden of divine fellowship. And when in the weakness of my flesh I cannot draw near to You, dear Lord, please draw near to me. Then I will look up and see my salvation. Then I will be within range of Your voice. Then, like shadows before the rising sun, fear will disappear in the glory of Your presence. The Pharisees complained, ‘This man receives sinners.’ Their complaint is my praise. Their murmuring is the mighty anthem of my soul. Their dissatisfact10n is my peace. Their bitterness is my blessing. Receive me, O redeeming Lord. I lay and I leave the burden of my sin at the foot of the Cross.

In the name of this man, this more than a man, this redeeming God, my Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Moving On In The Life of Prayer

The very complaint of the religious leaders is the basis of our hope and confidence in prayer. This man, this living and loving Lord receives sinners. Knowing our needs and owning our needs in prayer brings us to the joy of being found. In prayer Jesus receives us. In prayer Jesus finds us. In prayer, Jesus gives us new direction. In prayer, Jesus fills our hearts with the very joy of Heaven. Prayer grows strong on the nourishing truth that God loves the sinner and that Heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents.