Seeking the Lost

“¹⁰For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” – Luke 19:10 (ESV)

And there you have it. I will just leave this here.

You see, Jesus did not come seeking to save “a” single lost one, He came seeking “the” lost ones. That means all who would accept him is who He is looking for. It does not matter where you are, where you come from, or what you have done, when your heart is open and you accept Him, He gives you love and salvation.

Who are you? Are you one of the lost ones? What if accept that you are, open your heart and accept Christ as He has been seeking you?

Lost and Found

This morning I was brought to the parable of the prodigal son. Now I am confident that most have heard the parable and even have an understanding of meaning. I know that I have had my eyes opened to meaning that I had not looked at before in that there are three men that are in the story and looking at all three gave me more insight. I want to look at the idea of “lost” as this is where my study is now.

“²⁴’For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.” “³²’It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’” – Luke 15:24 & 32 (ESV)

The prodigal son came back, yes. He returned to the home he once knew. He was greeted with open arms. His return was well worth the celebration. I know that I have not seen my youngest son Aarron in a couple of months as he is off serving in the Navy and when I do see him again, we will certainly celebrate. But Aarron being gone is not the same as that of this prodigal son.

I see this morning the attitude of the father and the other son. I will start with the father. He was missing his son. I believe that as the loving father he was, he graciously gave to the son all that was to be his. He loved him and was likely, to some degree, glad that the son had chosen his own path. I am sure that the father was somewhat disappointed in that the son did not chose the family business, as well as how the son would be using the inheritance he was receiving. But the son was loved none the less. And the father was sad that the son had gone yet resolute in the fact that he may not ever return.

The other son to was resolute in the idea that the brother would not return, although his attitude was likely of anger due to his staying behind and working the family farm alone. He was not happy that the prodigal son had taken from the family, even if it was his to take. The other son was, in his resolution, glad now that the prodigal son was gone and he was now THE son of the father.

Let’s look at the return. The father was the first mentioned to welcome the son home. He did not receive him with animosity or anger or other more negative attitudes. On the contrary. He received him as thought he had been lost for years and was now found. He was celebrated to be alive and well. He was loved and accepted for he was still son of the father and deserved it.

The other son, on the other hand received the brother much differently. His anger was rekindled. After all, in his mind the prodigal son had taken the inheritance given, squandered it and then came back looking for more. He was not happy to see the brother return and was quick to make it known.

What a difference in the attitude toward the prodigal son here. There is love and anger. There is acceptance and deflection. Both of the men who got to again see the one who returned did so in their own ways.

The prodigal son was lost. Whether it was lost due to being misplaced or lost due to own carelessness, he was lost none the less. And no matter how he returned, he should be counted as found. The father saw the finding as that of something precious that was back and the other son saw the finding as something that had been moved on from and should have been continued to be lost.

I have to remember that being lost is just that, being lost. There is no room for giving up on the lost. Yes, I have to move on from total focus on the lost once I have resolved that I may not have much more influence on getting back, but never giving up is still giving it over to God to continue. And now, once the lost has returned I am to celebrate that return as the finding of something precious. Being found brings joy that was not there prior to the return and that deserves to be celebrated.

What is your attitude toward the lost? Have you moved on and if/when it returns you are indifferent or angry at the return? What if you were to see the lost and just celebrate the return as the precious that has been found?

Joy for the One Found

This morning I am going to take the other side of a belief that I have. You see, I am concerned with this idea that the small percentage of a group should be of more concern than the larger percentage of the same group. The fringe groups of society are pushing to be recognized at the expense of the mainstream of society. This morning I am going to speak on behalf of a small percentage of a group, the followers of Christ.

“⁷Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” – Luke 15:7 (ESV)

Jesus shows us here that the one lost who is found and repents creates more joy than ninety-nine others who have already repented. The one percent is recognized more so than the ninety-nine percent. I have to see that the one is certainly greater than the ninety-nine in this instance.

How did we get to this realization, well Jesus tells us the parable of the lost sheep. When a shepherd loses just one sheep, he will leave the flock to find the one. Where as to some the one seems of little value, to the shepherd, that one sheep is part of the family, not to mention of monetary value to the shepherd as well. There is great rejoicing when the sheep is found and returned to the flock.

“⁴What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? ⁵And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. ⁶And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’” – Luke 15:4-6 (ESV)

Just as the sheep are of value to the shepherd, I am of value to the LORD. I am part of the family and when I am lost, He will drop everything to find me and bring me home. When I am found, there will be great rejoicing in the flock that I have been returned.

In this situation, the one is fully recognized, not at the expense of the greater group, but as a member of the group in need of rescue.

What is your approach to the one lost? Are you looking to them as though they are of little value alone? What if you were to take the approach of Jesus and the shepherd and drop everything to help the one be found and bring great joy to the flock?

Lost with Faith

It is one thing to be lost. Having a sense that all is gone and that you have been left out on your own to figure things out with little prospect of being “rescued”. I am sure that at some point all of us have felt that way and face it, panicked a little. I know that I have on a number of occasions. And then there is the times when you are lost, yet have faith and know that you are simply just turned around or that “rescue” is just around the corner.

My study this morning is about these very cases as I read in Matthew 15. Jesus is making His way along the road and a woman comes to Him seeking His help with her daughter. She was at a loss of what to do and how to proceed and was vigilant in her actions that Jesus could indeed help. The disciples, who were with Jesus were acting to protect Him and asked Jesus to send the woman away.

“²⁴He answered, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’” – Matthew 15:24 (ESV)

This woman then came to Jesus, and pleaded with Him for help. And Jesus began a dialogue with the woman.

“²⁵But she came and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, help me.’ ²⁶And he answered, ‘It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.’ ²⁷She said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.’” – Matthew 15:25-27 (ESV)

This woman knew that she was not worthy of being in the presence of the LORD asking for His help. Yet, as with the woman who touched the robe of Jesus, she knew that He could help and this was her chance.

“²⁸Then Jesus answered her, ‘O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.’ And her daughter was healed instantly.” – Matthew 15:28 (ESV)

And just with the woman who touched His robe, Jesus recognized her faith and took action based on that faith.

Jesus will find us when we have faith that He will. He is always looking for me as one of His flock. I may get lost from time to time, yet, that is likely of my own doing. I have to remain in the LORD and have the faith that I will be “rescued”.

You will notice that I have put quotations around the word rescue throughout. I am simply indicating that the need and act of being helped is not always as grave as we would make it out to be. My being lost is not always going to be to the detriment of my ability to move forward. Sometimes I am just seeing myself as lost when in reality I am right where the LORD would have me be in that moment. I have to remember that when following God, the plan He has for me may not be the plan that I have or can sense in the moment. I have to continue with the faith that I will come out the other side just where He would have me. And that is the idea of being lost with faith. I will be lost on my own, yet with the LORD and faith in Him, I will always be found.

When you are lost, what is your reaction? Are you thinking “woe is me”? What if you were to lean on your faith in the LORD and know that you will found, and that where you are may be right where you are supposed to be?

Lost Saltiness

Losing some things are natural and not much if anything can be done about it. Athleticism for instance, we all get older and our bodies are not as performative as they once were. But there are things that are lost because we have allowed them to be lost and the loss is grave. Knowledge seeking is one. When we lose our thirst for knowledge, we will seemingly go backward as opposed to advancing.

“¹³You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.” – Matthew 5:13 (ESV)

Jesus warns us against losing our saltiness, lest we are now useless in the world for what we were created. I have to remember that I was created to bring the gospel to the world and serve the LORD. In order for me to be successful in those, I have to remember to stay vigilant in my work and learning. I have to continue doing the work and learning more about the work. As soon as I stop, I am no longer doing that which I was created. I am no longer adding value and have been reduced to being under the foot of the world as opposed to bringing flavor to it.

You see, saltiness is the flavor that we bring in the name of Christ. In our food, salt gives flavor to the bland and brings life to it for enjoyment. But salt that does nothing for the food is only good to be tossed out on the steps to be used to walk on. Now, yes, there is value to being able to walk on the icy step thanks to the salt, but that is not what it was meant for. Once on the ground, there is little thought as to it even being there. Yet in my food, salt is very evident in what it brings to the enhancement of my meal.

I have to remember to remain salty and bring life to those around me. I have to keep working and learning the Word of God to ensure that when the opportunities are presented I am ready to provide to those in need. The LORD has tasked me with work and it is my duty to remain capable of the work by staying on top of my learning. I have to remain salty to ensure that I am bringing the flavor to the world on behalf of the LORD.

What is your approach to saltiness? Have you lost your saltiness and are just fit for lining the walk? What if you remained in the Word of God to keep learning and doing the work of the LORD to bring flavor on His behalf?

Lost, You Will be Found

“¹⁶I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice.” – Ezekiel 34:16 (ESV)

Here I find the LORD declaring that He will seek out His lost sheep (us). And, as I look a little closer I see something that may have been missed before. Notice the group of sheep He is looking for, it starts with the lost ones and then it is those who have strayed off, and then those who are injured, and those who are weak. The LORD will seek out those who are in need of Him. He is seeking to bring them back into the flock safely and securely.

Where I have to be careful as I look at God’s Word is thinking that all of the strong will be destroyed. It is not so. I read further that it is those who have no regard for others that will be destroyed, not those who are simply strong. It is okay to be strong, yet that strength should be used for the glory of God. It is when it is not the LORD will take action against.

“¹⁸Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture, that you must tread down with your feet the rest of your pasture; and to drink of clear water, that you must muddy the rest of the water with your feet? ¹⁹And must my sheep eat what you have trodden with your feet, and drink what you have muddied with your feet? ‘²⁰Therefore, thus says the Lord God to them: Behold, I, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep.’” – Ezekiel 34:18-20 (ESV)

It is the fattened ones who will have action taken against. They are only there for themselves. The lean will be working to take care of the weak, and injured, and those who stray off course. I have to remember to be strong and serving. It is the strong that shall look out for the weak. The LORD is caring for all, and in doing so has tasked us all with work and it is the work of the strong to care for the weak. When I am strong it is my work to ensure that those experience weakness are cared for in the name of the LORD.

So yes, the LORD is seeking the lost, straying, weak, and injured. He may be doing so through the strong. I have to keep my eyes and ears on Him to be aware of just what He needs me to do. It may seem like work that is less than rewarding at the time but it is work for the LORD and His kingdom to come. I care for my family and that means my brothers and sisters in Christ as well as the family here in this world. I will seek to find those in need and provide where I am directed by the LORD.

When I am lost, I have to know that the LORD is seeking me. He is out there looking for me. I may not know where I am, yet I know that He will find me. He will not allow for me to be lost forever. He will find me and bring me back to His flock and the comfort of family to continue living for Him.

How are you reacting when lost or to the lost? Are you worrying only of yourself? What if you concern yourself with the work of the LORD and know that you may be the strong working for the LORD or that you may be the weak being sought for safe return?

Lost Even When in the Right Place

Reading God’s Word is so revealing. I am in Isaiah this morning as I begin a study on the word “lost”.

“⁵And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” – Isaiah 6:5 (ESV)

Here, Isaiah is describing his vision of the Lord. He is in the temple looking up at the Lord on the throne. And yet, his words indicate that he is lost.

I know that I have felt similar in certain situations. I knew exactly where I was, yet was not confident in whether or not I was or belonged there in the first place. It was not until I reached out to confess my confusion and lack of confidence that I was assured to be. Isaiah asked. Okay, it was more of a statement aloud. He made it known that he was not sure that he was supposed to be there or even belonged.

“⁶Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. ⁷And he touched my mouth and said: ‘Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.’” – Isaiah 6:6-7 (ESV)

Isaiah spoke out to confess. This confession was was heard and action was taken to let him know that he did indeed belong.

As noted, I have experienced this sense of being lost myself and it was not until I confessed was it confirmed that I was. I am positive that it happens on the regular in our houses of worship. There are those who come to visit, looking for something and end up leaving without confirmation that they have found it. Either it comes from us as the congregation not embracing those who are visiting or from the pulpit with the seemingly vilification of us all as sinners. More can and should be done to help others as they are likely feeling lost.

It is not a good feeling to be lost, especially when I am in the right place. I may not know exactly why I am there, but there is a reason and frankly I am looking for it. I may not have the confidence to confess, and therefor it is up to someone to draw me in with an assuring word or action, just as the seraphim from the vision of Isaiah taking action to acknowledge and assure him of his rightful place there.

What are your feelings when you are out in the world? Are lost where you are or know of those who might be? What if you called out in confession of your being lost or were the one to take action of assurance to those who might be?

Confidence for the Day of Judgment

Tears of joy is what should come when being judged. You see, when I abide in and follow the commands of the LORD, I am on the right side of judgment.

“¹⁶So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. ¹⁷By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.” – 1 John 4:16-17 (ESV)

It is with confidence that I enter each day. I know that I am with the LORD and He is with me. I know that I am working for Him and all the actions I take for the LORD are in line with His Will. Knowing that I am adhering to God’s Law and that His Law is greater than man’s law, I am confident in those actions. Therefore, any judgment that come from my actions are of no consequence as my actions would be considered righteous and I should be joyous in knowing that I have done the LORD’s Work.

Now we come to the judgment day. When I have taken on the actions of the LORD daily, I know that I have been righteous in my actions and on that day will be held to account for them. Again, I should be joyous in knowing that I have done the LORD’s Work and that He will reward me. I also will not be surprised where I am held to account on that day for where I was not adhering to the LORD’s Will and again be joyous knowing that I have been open to again having them read out.

Confidence is provided by God for all that I have done. Whether those actions are for or against the LORD, I am to be held to account and should know that all will be read out. I come to the judgment day knowing that all is known and my joy of being there should be evident in my tears. Not tears of fear and anguish, but tears of joy for the heavenly reward.

What does your confidence level look like? Are you worried about what may be found out or about the punishment to come? What if you had the confidence in the LORD that you have done all that you were to do and that now it is time to be rewarded on that judgment day?

Confidence to Enter Holy of Holies

In the Old Testament the tabernacle was a sacred place where one would come to confess their sins on the Day of Atonement. It was separated into three “chambers”. There was the Outer Court, the Holy Place, and the Holy of Holies. I, being of the general population could enter the Outer Court. The Priests would enter the Holy Place, and only the high priest of the time would enter the Holy of Holies. So you can see that it was a sacred place with minimal access. Then Jesus died and the curtain was torn.

“⁵⁰And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. ⁵¹And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.” – Matthew 27:50-51 (ESV)

With this tearing of the curtain, all now have access to the LORD without intermediary of the high priest of the time. As we find in Hebrews, Jesus is Better and is the Highest Priest. Access to Him means that there is no longer a “need” for other high priests. Thanks to the tearing of curtain at the death of Jesus for my sin, I now have direct access to him.

“¹⁹Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, ²¹and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ²²let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” – Hebrews 10:19-22 (ESV)

Here is the thing. Now that I have access, I have to have confidence in that access. I have to come to Him always. I have to enter His presence. I can enter the Holy of Holies and I should.

No longer am I held out of the presence of the LORD due to procedure. No longer am I separated from God by two curtains and rooms. No longer do I have to go through someone else to reach the Father. No longer do I have to wait for the one day to seek forgiveness. The LORD is available to me always, whenever I need Him. The LORD is ready to listen. I only need to come to Him with the confidence that is given me through his spilled blood for my sake.

What reason are you giving to not come to Christ? Are you waiting for the opportunity on that one day? What if you had confidence supplied by Jesus’ death on the cross for you and came to Him right now?

Confidence To Come Near to God

This morning I was drawn to think of my boys. They, as younger and to some degree even now, found it difficult to come to me when there was/is something they need to discuss. There is somehow a fear that I would not understand or not be supportive of them. I can understand to some degree as I am the patriarch of the family and as such am here to drive things, not take direction.

In the last few verses of chapter four, the writer of Hebrews identifies Jesus as the “Great High Priest”. As He is such, I can certainly see and feel the apprehension of coming to Him with my needs and wants, much like my boys.

“¹⁵For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” – Hebrews 4:15-16 (ESV)

But even so, Jesus knows all that I struggle with and opens His arms to me. I have to remember that He has nothing but the best intentions and desires for me with Him. He will guide and direct me to greatness. He comforts me in time of need. He educates me in those things that are of consequence. I have to come to Him with confidence knowing all of this. He is my father and I should look to Him as the one to give me all.

This time in the mornings is my time to come to Him. I devote my time to His Word and to learning and applying to my life. I then take time here to write my thoughts on my learning to share so that others might have the chance to learn and apply themselves. I know that these are not my words, but the words of the LORD through me. I come to the LORD with confidence that He will share with me that which I am to learn and share with others.

Remember, I am not a scholar of the LORD’s Word. I am only His child, seeking His face and wisdom to get along in this world. I come to Him knowing that whatever I ask will be provided when it comes from my heart and is for His glory. I am confident in my relationship with Him and know that He will always guide and comfort me with His love.

What is your approach to coming to the LORD? Are you apprehensive at what He might think or provide? What if you were to come to Him with the confidence of knowing He is on your side and will guide and comfort you always?