Heard On Sunday - Reaching the Lost

Have you ever lost something precious? Keys, a wallet, or even a child for a heart-stopping moment? That feeling of panic, followed by overwhelming relief when the lost item is found, is a powerful metaphor for our spiritual journey.

We are all, in essence, lost sheep. Not the most flattering comparison, perhaps, but an apt one. Sheep are not known for their intelligence or self-sufficiency. They wander off, get into trouble, and are defenseless against predators. Sound familiar? Isaiah 53:6 puts it plainly: "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way."

But here's the good news: we have a Good Shepherd.

In Luke 15:1-7, Jesus tells a parable about a shepherd who leaves 99 sheep to search for one that is lost. This might seem impractical, even foolish. But it illustrates the heart of God – a love so fierce and determined that He will go to any length to find and rescue even one lost soul.

This shepherd isn't content to cut his losses. He searches tirelessly, combing hills and valleys until he finds that one wayward sheep. And when he does? He doesn't scold or punish. Instead, he joyfully hoists the sheep onto his shoulders and carries it home, calling friends and neighbors to celebrate.

Jesus concludes the parable by saying, "There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous persons who need no repentance." This is a staggering statement about the nature of God's love and the value He places on each individual.

But who are these lost sheep in our world today? They're not just the obvious "sinners" – the addicts, the criminals, or those living openly rebellious lives. They include the "tax collectors" of our day – perhaps those in morally ambiguous professions or positions of power that tempt them to corruption. They're the "regular sinners" – ordinary people living their lives without much thought to God. And yes, they even include the "religious sinners" – those who may appear righteous but are inwardly proud, judgmental, and self-righteous.

The beautiful truth is that Jesus came for all of them – for all of us. As He states in Luke 19:10, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."

This mission of Jesus challenges us in two significant ways:

1. It calls us to recognize our own lostness and need for the Shepherd. We can't find our way back to God on our own. We need Jesus to find us, pick us up, and carry us home. This requires humility and a willingness to admit our helplessness.
2. It invites us to participate in Jesus' mission of seeking the lost. As part of His flock, we're called to look out for other sheep and to embody the same love and acceptance that Jesus showed to those society deemed unworthy.

So how do we respond to this incredible love? Through repentance. But let's be clear about what true repentance entails:

1. Admission of guilt: Honestly acknowledging our wrongdoing and rebellion against God.
2. Expression of remorse: Feeling genuine sorrow for our actions and their consequences.
3. Change: Actually turning away from our old ways and walking in a new direction.

When we truly repent, something remarkable happens: God rejoices! The very heart of heaven celebrates. This isn't the reaction of an angry deity finally appeased, but of a loving Father welcoming His child home.

This understanding of God's heart should transform how we view ourselves and others. When we grasp the depth of God's love and forgiveness towards us, it becomes easier to extend that same grace to those who have wronged us.

The gospel – the good news of Jesus – is not about cleaning ourselves up or trying harder to be good. It's about recognizing our complete inability to save ourselves and throwing ourselves on the mercy of the Good Shepherd. As Romans 5:8 reminds us, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Jesus, the sinless Savior, became the sinner's Savior. He left the glory of heaven to enter our messy world. He lived a perfect life, taught profound truths, healed the sick, confronted injustice, and ultimately gave His life on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. His resurrection proves that His sacrifice was accepted and that new life is possible for all who put their trust in Him.

This salvation is a free gift, not something we can earn. It's Jesus plus nothing. Any attempt to add our own efforts or merits to Christ's finished work only diminishes the power and sufficiency of what He has done.

But while we can't earn our salvation, true faith in Christ will inevitably produce change in our lives. The Holy Spirit begins a transformative work in us, changing our desires, our priorities, and our actions. We find ourselves loving what God loves and hating what He hates. Our old way of life no longer satisfies.

This transformation isn't just for our own benefit. It equips and motivates us to join in God's mission of seeking and saving the lost. We're called to develop friendships with those who don't know Jesus, to listen to their stories with genuine interest and compassion, and to discern the right moments to share the hope we have found in Christ.

In a world full of lost sheep – some aware of their lostness, others oblivious – we have the privilege of pointing the way to the Good Shepherd. We get to be part of the greatest rescue mission in history.

So, let's ask ourselves: Who in our lives needs to hear about the love of Jesus? Who needs to know that no matter how far they've wandered, the Shepherd is searching for them? And how can we, as part of His flock, be instruments of His relentless, pursuing love?

May we never lose sight of our own need for the Shepherd, and may we always be ready to join in the joyful celebration when another lost sheep is found and brought home.