Most everyone has a lost and found story. I have far too many. And at this stage of my life, even my car tends to get lost. Thank God for the key fob. Also, here’s to the lost phone feature (to assist in finding misplaced phones). Once, I even traced my lost phone back to a rest stop in southern Utah (in a futile attempt to retrieve it).
Most of the time, there are two parts to our lost and found stories. For a start, there’s the hopelessness of not knowing where to look. Next comes the relief of finally finding what we’re looking for.
My favorite lost and found story is the “Parable of the Lost Son,” found in Luke (Chapter 15). It’s probably because I can personally relate to it on several levels. The young man receives an early inheritance and squanders it on reckless and loose living.
Let’s pick it up in verses 15:20-24 after the son finally came to his senses.
“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’ “But his father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and now has returned to life. He was lost, and now he is found.’ So the party began.” — Luke 15:20-24 (NLT)
We All Have Lost And Found Stories
This is much like many of our own lost and found stories. The lost portions of our stories dissipate while the finding part overcomes. In these verses, the father’s love explodes while finding his son. Because of this, we don’t consider the lost portion of the story anymore. The found portion of the story is all that matters, and it overtakes us.
Let me reiterate. The Father runs to his once-lost son, and his son repents. His Father says nothing about the lost story. He pours grace and mercy on his lost son, like Gatorade dumped on a winner. The Father’s incomprehensible love also overflows to his friends and family. I especially love this part. “We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and now has returned to life. He was lost, and now he is found.” So the party began.
May we continue to be a Church that forever runs to people and celebrates with them when they find Jesus. Many are lost, for sure. However, the Father will soon find many more. I believe it. Indeed, let the party begin!
Running with you,
Mac
Posted in A Word from the Pastor