Lost
Originally scheduled for October 1
The most common accusation made against Jesus of Nazareth was
simply this: he partied hearty with all the wrong kind of people,
particularly prostitutes and tax collectors. Jesus, in his defense,
replied with these parables.
Now all the tax collectors and the
sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him. Both the Pharisees
and the scribes began to grumble, saying, "This man receives sinners
and eats with them." So He told them this parable, saying, "What man
among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does
not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one
which is lost until he finds it? "When he has found it, he lays it
on his shoulders, rejoicing. "And when he comes home, he calls
together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice
with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' "I tell you that
in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner
who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no
repentance. "Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses
one coin, does not light a lamp and 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 which I had lost!' "In the same way, I tell you,
there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner
who repents."
(Luke 15:1-10 NASB)
May I point out
something often omitted in looking at these parables? The lost
sheep, when returned to the fold, becomes just as valuable as the
other sheep. It is not discounted because it had been lost.
Similarly, your lost silver dollar doesn’t magically become a
quarter when you find it. In both instances they are valued like all
the others.
We see this in communion. There are no second-class
Christians taking communion this morning; all of us are equal at the
foot of the cross. We are clearly told that his body and his blood
are for “whosoever will.” So as you partake this morning, pass
judgment on no one except yourself. Judgment belongs to the Lord;
repentance is ours. Examine yourself carefully, repent where needed
and then partake in the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
