Not Lost with Jesus

I am wrapping up my study of the word “lost” this morning. I have been reminded that I am not lost when it comes to my relationship with the LORD as He cares deeply for me, ensuring that I am found and join Him in heaven when the time comes. The other point is that once found, I will not be lost as Jesus notes on the night in which he was betrayed.

“⁷So he asked them again, ‘Whom do you seek?’ And they said, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ ⁸Jesus answered, ‘I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.’ ⁹This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: ‘Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.’” – John 18:7-9 (ESV)

I see this morning that Jesus comes to the rescue, not only to find me when I was lost, but to protect me from being lost in the first place. Here, Jesus identifies Himself as the one the men are looking for and that since that is the case, Those who are with Him should go free. He could have denied who He was to save His own life in the moment, yet He chose to fully embrace who He was not only for the spiritual lives of all as He was here in the world to do, but the physical lives of those in His care as well.

I know that it is easy to talk a big game, but it is a challenge to get in the game and do the work that is needed. Jesus did not just talk, He took action and that action of protecting His people in the face of danger so they would not be lost is what makes Him so much different than others. He did not just talk the talk, Jesus walked the walk and protected/protects His people in all aspects of protection. From the spiritual to the emotional to the physical, Jesus does the work to ensure that we are not lost to the world as one of His brothers.

I need protection daily. I am a sinner who does not deserve the love, care, and salvation offered by Jesus. Yet, He loves me anyway and will take all action to make sure that I am not lost, whether that is to find me when I am lost, or protect me from being lost. With Jesus, I am NOT lost.

What is your status with Jesus? Are you lost or in danger of being lost? What if you looked to Jesus knowing that if you are in either situation, He will find and protect you from being lost?

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, 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?