Lost and Found

For those of us who may occasionally have doubts about how much God loves us and desires a relationship with us, it may be a good idea to bookmark Luke 15. In this chapter, Jesus tells three parables--all in response to the grumbling Pharisees who saw him eat with sinners. Our Lord saw the lack of compassion from those who supposedly knew God the most for those who needed God's love and mercy the most.

In the first two parables--the lost sheep (v. 3-7) and the lost coin (v. 8-10)--there was diligent effort spent to find what was lost. There was sheer joy in the return of what was once lost but since been found. And these weren't private celebrations. Friends and neighbors were gathered to share the good news.

The third parable--the prodigal son (v. 11-32) has some slight differences but the same result. The father; knowing his son's desires were foolish, grants them anyway and patiently waits for his return. Upon squandering all that was given to him, the son returned home humbled and prepared to offer himself as a servant rather than a son. Before the son could even confess his sin, the father ran to him and embraced him. Though the stories differ, the reaction is the same: It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found (v. 32).

Our Lord has always been in the lost and found business. Seeking the lost and rejoicing in what is found. Verse 10 reminds us that there is joy in Heaven among the angles when one sinner repents. The God of the Universe is always ready, always willing, always faithful and always merciful to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness when we confess and return to him (1 John 1:9). When we go from being lost to being found.