LUKE 15: the truly lost

Today’s Reading: Luke 15

“I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” Luke 15:7

In this chapter, Luke gives three different parables of Jesus talking about the lost who are found. These parables are pretty common and preached often, but let’s take a closer look at who the lost really are, because sometimes, as Christians, we tend to skew the meaning to fit what we want.

I’ve heard many people use these parables to illustrate the lost as someone who got their feelings hurt and needs to be chased down or someone who got mad about something and is waiting for someone to come find them to be reconciled. But, Jesus says that the lost are sinners who have repented. Once they were lost for eternity, and now they are found! 

This is different from someone who has been found already; a righteous person who has already been saved for eternity and doesn’t need to repent. Yes, they need to daily ask for forgiveness for their sins since they aren’t perfect, but their eternal fate is sealed.

I think that knowing the difference between these two should challenge us in a few ways. We should think more carefully about who deserves the time to be “chased down” and helped to be found. Maybe you have a coworker or family member who isn’t a believer. Be brave and invite them to church! 

Maybe you have other people in your life who are constantly wanting you to chase them down, but are already believers. They take up a lot of your time and energy even though you know they have a relationship with Jesus and tools like the Bible and prayer right in front of them. You shouldn’t cut them out of your life, but ask yourself if chasing them down is taking away time from your ability to help the truly lost.

Spend time in prayer asking God to give you a heart and eyes for the truly lost in this world. Also ask him to give you courage and spread the good news to them so they can be found forever!​