Luke 15 - Sought by Christ

In this chapter we see that tax collectors and "sinners" were gathering around Jesus to hear him but the religious leaders muttered, "this man welcomes sinners and eats with them." (verse 1-2)

Jesus then tells three parables in row. Boom. boom. boom. The parable of the lost sheep, the parable of the lost coin, and the parable of the lost son. In essence Jesus is defending his actions by showing the utmost value God puts on lost people. Unfortunately, a downside of being righteous is actually being cut off from the world. A real pitfall we face is feeling like we deserve more attention or respect or at least some sign of gratitude for our faithful service (vs 28-32). Jesus shows us that God is concerned with 'the dead coming to life' (verse 32). He is concerned with lost people being found, wandering sheep being brought back into the fold, and prodigal sons returning home. Jesus cares about seeking the lost.

Think about this in your life. How many times have you wandered. I love how in proverbs 3:3 it says, "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart." If you want faithfulness you actually have to have it connected to you like a collar! If you want to be faithful to God it has to be branded on your heart. Because, we all like sheep have gone astray (1 Peter 2:25). We all wander. We all have turned our backs to God, left the fold of sheep, went into the open country and even spent our inheritance on 'wild living.' Thanks be to Jesus that He seeks you out and restores you. Thank Jesus that he drew near to you a tax collector and sinner. That he pulled up a chair at your table while you were dinning at the feast of worldliness. If it weren't for his compassion where would we be? We would be on the broad road that leads to destruction. We would be bounding our way towards the flames of Hell. Our hearts dead to the ways of God. Praise Jesus that He sought you out. Praise Him because He was so concerned that you were lost that He recklessly pursued you.