When the Lost are Found

“But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.”   Luke 15:32, NASB95

A parable is a heavenly story with an earthly application. In other words, the story brings attention to and clarity on a truth that is difficult to fully grasp in other ways. Jesus often taught in parables which is a testimony in itself of their effectiveness. 

I think that Luke 15 is one parable with several moving parts. The lost sheep, the lost coin, and the two lost sons all serve to point to a single truth: God loves reconciling lost things. The main actor in the parable is the Father as he is depicted in the searching shepherd, the seeking woman, and the Father who waits, welcomes, and rejoices. 

The chapter ends with an audacious claim: All of heaven rejoices with the lost is found! Now the centerpiece of heaven is God Himself. Everything exists to His praise. Honor, and glory. So, the picture of a celebrating God over the lost being found is spot on! 

Picture, if you will, the Father leaping to His feet and shouting “welcome home” over the deafening applause of every creature in heaven—every time a lost son returns home, a sinning daughter repents, and a wayward Pharisee turns toward grace. Heaven erupts with joy and celebration when the rebel is reconciled, when the enslaved is set free, when the lost is found, and when the wicked are redeemed. 

The point of the Lord’s parable of the Father is to remind us that we truly speak God’s “love language” (if you will allow me one more comparison) when we seek out the lost and gather them in to the family. 

Question: Is blessing the Lord in this way your priority for living? Is it your highest ethic of worship? Is it your missional focus every morning? Is it your commitment every day? If not, you can start over, today. 

Much love! Pastor Chris

originally published as part of the econnect devotions at www.englewoodbaptist.com/econnect.