“Rejoice with
me; I have found my lost . . ” (Luke 15:6;9 see also 32 NIV)
When my family lived
in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, my wife worked in a bank where her co-workers
loved to celebrate anything and everything. They were constantly inventing
“events” just so they could celebrate with a party. The party was
everything and had nothing to do with a reason. The parties became meaningless.
in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, my wife worked in a bank where her co-workers
loved to celebrate anything and everything. They were constantly inventing
“events” just so they could celebrate with a party. The party was
everything and had nothing to do with a reason. The parties became meaningless.
In Luke 15, Jesus
tells three stories with one focus that should be the reason his people
celebrate. The Lord’s illustrations are not really about a sheep or a piece of
money. Instead, these items of value contrast the value of a soul who wonders
into the far country away from the Father’s house. Yet, we seem to celebrate
more when finding material wealth than we do over an eternal soul.
tells three stories with one focus that should be the reason his people
celebrate. The Lord’s illustrations are not really about a sheep or a piece of
money. Instead, these items of value contrast the value of a soul who wonders
into the far country away from the Father’s house. Yet, we seem to celebrate
more when finding material wealth than we do over an eternal soul.
Remember when we
were kids in church? The prayer requests were almost totally about some lost
loved-one or unsaved friend. We didn’t hear a lot of requests for healing or
financial woes or desires for jobs. Now, in retrospect, I am certain that all
those issues were just as real then as they are today. Yet, the focus was on
people who had never committed their hearts and lives to Christ.
were kids in church? The prayer requests were almost totally about some lost
loved-one or unsaved friend. We didn’t hear a lot of requests for healing or
financial woes or desires for jobs. Now, in retrospect, I am certain that all
those issues were just as real then as they are today. Yet, the focus was on
people who had never committed their hearts and lives to Christ.
All three stories in
Luke 15 are about what high value God places on a soul. Those who reject him
and his salvation are lost in their sins. God gave his only Son, Jesus Christ,
as the ultimate price for their redemption. He died on Calvary for them.
Luke 15 are about what high value God places on a soul. Those who reject him
and his salvation are lost in their sins. God gave his only Son, Jesus Christ,
as the ultimate price for their redemption. He died on Calvary for them.
It seems to me that
if the Church would place the same high value on souls, she would have good
reason to celebrate.
if the Church would place the same high value on souls, she would have good
reason to celebrate.
Dear Father, thank
you for the high value you place on our souls. Empower us to also place a high
value on finding lost souls. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
you for the high value you place on our souls. Empower us to also place a high
value on finding lost souls. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be strong and
courageous today searching for the lost,
courageous today searching for the lost,