Thursday, February 18, 2016

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus.  But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” . . .  “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?  And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’  In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Luke 15: 1-2, 8-10

Thoughts:

What have you lost?  For what are you looking?  Do you know that searching for what is lost is an important task for Jesus and for those of us who follow Him?  In Luke 15 He tells three parables about looking for lost things.  From these three parables I have learned the following:  Sometimes I have to leave what is sure (the 99 sheep) in order to find what is important.  Sometimes I have to realize that I will not find what is lost quickly, but I must sweep diligently, and keep looking until I find it.  And sometimes, like the father in the later verses of Luke 15, I have to wait until what is lost comes back and finds me.

What have you lost?  Is it time for you to leave what is safe and go in search of it?  Is it time to work harder looking for it?  Or is it time to sit and wait until it comes back to you.  That which is lost, will be found.  That which is yours, will come to you.  And heaven will rejoice with and for you.