Found

Featured Photo of Red Dirt National Forest, near Natchitoches, La.

John Carley, Photography

When he has found it, he carries it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

Luke 15:5 (WEB)

I knew a little girl who used to find great joy when her dad would carry her sitting on his shoulders. She would giggle every time she would pull his hair, knowing she would get a loud, but fake “OUCH!” out of her “ride”. Even though her dad was over six feet tall, she never felt afraid. She knew the big hands that held onto her would never let her go. And she was right.

Those images remind me of the story of Jesus, looking for a lost sheep. In Luke 15:1-7 Jesus is in the middle of some serious sinners. In the NIV, they are referred to as tax collectors and other notorious sinners.

Standing at a safe distance are the pious Pharisees. But they aren’t just standing and watching with disdain. They are murmuring under their breath, “…He’s associating with them and even eating with them.”

What’s sad is, the Pharisees were so blind that they never realized that Jesus would have welcomed them, too.

Jesus, who knows the hearts of these wicked men, does what He does best. He tells them a story. Let’s let Jesus tell it.

“Which of you men, if you had one hundred sheep and lost one of them, wouldn’t leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that was lost, until he found it?  When he has found it, he carries it on his shoulders, rejoicing.  When he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.

Luke 15: 4-7 (WEB)

God’s Word is so clear about how He loves the lost. God hates sin because He is holy and because of the destruction it causes. You notice that Jesus loved and welcomed the sinners. But He never joined them in their sin.

God loves people. He loves the vilest offender. He loves the little children who tell lies. He loves moms and dads who break promises. He loves alcoholics, drug addicts, gluttons and thieves.

Jesus loves mothers who haven’t treasured their babies. He loves doctors who have failed their oath. Jesus loves scandalous preachers who are on the brink of getting caught.

Jesus loves self-serving politicians. He loves people who hate Him and those who just aren’t interested.

Jesus loves. He would go to any length to save the lost. And He did. The only thing He won’t do is give up, until the day that a lost person gives their final “no”. Then, in His goodness, He does not force Himself on anyone.

Jesus pursues every soul near and far, beyond the horizon…until you say,

“No more” and then He lets you walk away

There is a decision to make. As with the notorious sinners who welcomed Jesus, and the Pharisees who wholeheartedly rejected Him, we each have to answer the same question.

Will you keep running from Jesus while he goes to the ends of the earth to bring you home?

Or will you stop?

Frozen in place.

Tired from running.

Scared. Uncertain. Carrying secrets and sadness.

When He draws you to Him, will you climb onto His safe, strong shoulders and let Him carry you home?

“I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.”

Exodus 19:4 (WEB)

John 10:27-29

Psalm 103:11-14

How beautiful are the feet of those who share the Gospel of Peace

Isaiah 52:7 (Paraphrased)

World English Bible (WEB)

by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked.