CONNECTING POINT: Lost & Found

When was the last time you lost something? A common question around our home is, “Where are my keys?” Losing something can be quite distressing, sometimes confounding, when you blame someone else and find the keys in your coat pocket five minutes later. LOL.

Jesus’ existence in history was to fulfill God’s ultimate act of love, as Christ gave up His life as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. Albert Einstein said, “As a child, I received instruction both in the Bible and the Talmud. I am a Jew, but I am enthralled by the luminous figure of the Nazarene. Unquestionably! No one can read the Gospels without feeling the actual presence of Jesus. His personality pulsates in every word. No myth is filled with such life.” Is it any wonder that the Bible refers to Jesus as the “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us” (John 1:14)?

In Luke 15, Jesus utilized three parables that express God’s heart for people: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. Some refer to this as the “Lost Chapter.” What is interesting is that the context reveals that Jesus’ words were directed at the sanctimonious Pharisees and teachers of the law; their superiority complex was off the charts! This group of people, a large staple of the religious apparatus of the day, is who disliked Jesus most. The concept of redemption was far from their hearts but dear to God’s heart. Let’s take a glance at each parable.

First, the parable of the lost sheep. “Then Jesus told them this parable: ‘Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” (Luke 15:3-7). Here we find Christ’s response to the Pharisees who were “muttering” (vs. 2) and complaining that Jesus “welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

Second, the parable of the lost coin. “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:8-10). The theme is building as Jesus

continues, what’s been lost has great value, and when found, there should be jubilant celebration, not grumbling.

Third, the parable of the prodigal son. As readers, we typically focus on the youngest son who squandered his inheritance, noting all his mistakes. However, we should concur that Jesus intended the parable in this context to shed light on the sanctimonious older brother who refused to celebrate his brother’s return home.

What principle can we glean from Jesus? Christians are to party when the lost are found! The façade of righteousness is revealed when supposed Christians reject lost souls returning home to God.