Everyone Matters to God

Feb. 17, 2014 Monday Message:

Luke 15 is filled with 3 similar parables: The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin, and The Lost Son. Let’s look at the parallels.

In the Lost Sheep parable, the shepherd is God, and the lost sheep is us. In the Lost Coin, the woman represents God, and we are the lost coin. In the final story, the father is God, and you and I are the lost son.

Notice that what was missing in each story was something of great value. The shepherd, the woman and the father never stopped looking until what was lost was found again.

When the shepherd recovers the lost sheep, he calls his friends and neighbors to celebrate.

When the woman finds her lost coin, she calls her friends, saying, “Rejoice with me!”

When the father greets his wayward son, he orders the fatted calf butchered and the celebrating to begin. “This son of mine was dead and now has returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found!”

When what is lost becomes found, Jesus says it’s worthy of a celebration. One sinner repenting and returning puts heaven in party-mode. The Message says, “Count on it – that’s the kind of party God’s angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God.” (Luke 15:10)

So you can see the trend: People far from God really matter to God.

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) meets every Sunday, at 10:30am, in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This week, the Temple leaders question Jesus’ authority to teach. Pastor Michael Pilla moves us into Luke 20:1-8. See you at church!