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Now all the tax-collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him.And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, ‘This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.’ So he told them this parable: ‘Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance. ‘Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, “Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.” Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.’ (Luke 15:1-10)
This passage gives us a wonderful glimpse of Heaven. It's a place of joy. And that joy comes when the lost are found. God put you and me in the Lost and Found business. You and I were once lost. You and I are now found. Our job is to bring joy to Heaven by helping bring the Lost back to God. Yes, our churches are filled with lost people, but the sad part is that most are comfortable being lost and continuing to "play church." Some pastors are too. The Found Department is the one which looks for the lost. The two parables involve a lot of searching, almost frantic searching. A lost sheep was a precious thing to those who owned, and especially among the owners those who loved it. Ninety-nine was not enough if you started with one hundred. The woman in the second story needed ten coins, not nine, and did not rest until she found that lost coin. Then all Heaven broke loose with celebration upon its discovery.
You and I work among the lost. You and I shop among the lost. You and I may run along the lost. And you and I cannot, and should not, rest, until the lost are found. God cares that much and God's love is that persistent. And so should we love all, and search for all; until the last one is found.
PRAYER: Lord, we have much to do. Give us the courage, the heart, strength, and wisdom to find the Lost. We can if You come alongside us to help us in this very important search. This we pray in Christ Jesus' precious name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
