Have you ever searched on Facebook for a long-lost friend? It’s a great way to connect with a former high school buddy. Some have bridged across miles and then became attached in marriage.
Most just rekindle an old friendship which had been lost through time and miles. You may feel excitement, joy, cared for, special, even loved, when you find someone.
Jesus once told three parables about people who were separated from something they wanted to find. Parables are earthly stories with a heavenly meaning. The people who first heard Jesus teach them would relate to and understand the point of the message.
Please read in your own Bible about this very important lesson. The message of Jesus back then is still relevant today.
In Luke 15, Jesus spoke about a lost sheep, a lost coin, and a lost son. He begins with the lesson about the lost sheep.
A shepherd was responsible for nurturing his flock. He was with them day and night in order to care for and protect them. Losing just one of them was a deep reason for concern.
Well, he lost one. Jesus says, “The man will search until he finds it.” There is good news! He finds it! Then “he carries it home on his shoulders,” he calls all his neighbors, and they rejoice together. When just one person repents of his sins, there is rejoicing in heaven.
The second parable which Jesus told that day was about a woman who loses a valuable coin. She searches high and low, all night, looking “carefully for the coin until she finds it.”
Then she calls in her friends and neighbors to rejoice with her. Joy in heaven abounds “when one sinner changes his heart” (vs. 10). Even the angels join God in His joy for just one person who repents.
The final parable in this chapter is about a foolish young man. Like many young people, he goes far from home. He parties, sleeps around, and having squandered all the money he had, he returns home.
Sound familiar? Please read this parable in your own Bible. It is the final few words that give this meaning for us.
The father was watching and waiting for his son to return. When he did, there was a great celebration. This is how it is when just one wayward sinner returns to God.
God wants to rejoice with the angels when you return to Him. He’s searching for you! Please repent and turn back to God. Sinners are welcome at the church of Christ.