RECLAIMING THE LOST - PART 3

THE WORKS OF THE KINGDOM (PART – 3)

Passage: Luke 15: 1-32 “The Parables of the Lost and Found”

The work of the Kingdom is reclaiming the lost one. The entire chapter of Luke 15 is about finding the lost sheep, lost coin and lost son. The uniqueness of all the three is that they belong to the owners once – then lost – finally found. It is not something that belongs to somebody – lost and found process gives joy and happiness to the person to whom it belongs.

I lost my purse in my theological college – booked my ticket at 12:00 pm. Searched from 9:00 am till 11:00 – full of anxiety – got it in the suitcase that was locked to take home – the moment I found it gave a great sense of relaxation and happiness – all my search for two hours gone in a moment, I always remember that moment while reading this passage.

As a Kingdom worker we must also reclaim the lost as a part of Kingdom mission because the Bible says the entire humanity rebelled against God and lost in sin, All have sinned and lost the glory of God (Rom 3:23). As a sheep we all have gone astray, we have turned everyone to his own ways (Isa 53:6).

All the three parables in the narratives are stories that explain the hidden truths of the Kingdom of God. God is pleased when someone is found from the lost state. God is the one who reclaims his people or restore them from their fallen state. Israelite were in exile several times but God reclaimed them in all occasions with his initiation. He brought them back into the land he promised for them. Every work of the Kingdom brings greater joy unto the Lord.

Background: Luke 15:1-2 we see about the setting where tax collectors and sinners gathered around Jesus. Jesus loved being with them and dine with them. The Pharisees/scribes/ teachers of the Law were offended by looking at the scene. There was always conflict between the acts of Jesus and the religious leaders. Jesus broke all traditional bondages as a reformer. The parable of “Tax Collector and Pharisee” (Luke 18:9-14) illustrates how these two were entirely different in their thinking. The Jewish leaders hated the “tax collectors and sinners” thinking that they are pure before the Lord and doing all religious rituals. Jesus denoted only sick needed the doctor not the healthy (Luke 5:30-32). He condemned the Pharisees and the Jewish leaders as “Whitewashed tombs” (Mat. 23:27-28).

In this background Jesus spoke about the mission of God as finding the lost ones. The work of the Kingdom is also reclaiming the lost Person, Possession and Relationship. The three below parables picture them clearly.

1.      RECLAIMING THE LOST PERSON ( LUKE 15:3-7)

The parable of the lost sheep denotes the love of God towards the lost person. Throughout the Bible we see about the expression of God as shepherd and His people as sheep ( Psalm 23; Ps 100; 95:7; Isaiah 40:9-11; 53:6). The best chapter in the New Testament is John 10 where Jesus referred himself as “Good Shepherd.” Later in the New Testament church referred as the flock of God (Act 20:28).

We see in this parable all 100 sheep belong to the shepherd – one is lost or gone astray. Practically it is impossible to happen as for as sheep is concerned. Sheep is a very vulnerable animal that seeks company always – which is quiet opposite to goats. One missed must be a willing disobedience to the authority of the shepherd. Sheep has great awareness about the environment and wanted to be in the group always. Isolated sheep very often goes as prey to the wild animals.

Once the shepherd realized that one of the seep got lost – the shepherd himself went in search of the lost leaving the 99 in the wilderness (v.4) which is more dangerous – he might lose many more while leaving them. It is the love of the shepherd towards the lost sheep that he went and found it.

After reclaiming the lost sheep – He joyfully puts in his shoulder and was joyful with his friends and neighbors. The Kingdom work includes reclaiming the lost person. There is great rejoice in heaven towards the repentance of one sinner (v.7). The entire world is lost in sin and darkness – the work of the Kingdom is to reconcile them with God. God is seeking humanity from the Garden of Eden (Gen 3:9) – “Where are you Adam?” we have to reclaim the people who are God’s people unto Him.

If you are a Kingdom worker it is a command to reclaim the lost people unto God.

2.      RECLAIM THE LOST POSSESSION (VV 8-10)

The second parable is a woman who lost a silver coin and reclaims it after great efforts, at the end of the story she rejoices with her friends and neighbors as she found the lost. She had ten silver coins (Gk. Drachmas), each worth of a day’s wages (say Rs. 500). It was very hard for the common people to use coins; it is worth beyond the monitorial value for her. It means something for her – it is her possession – it is a terrible loss for the lady if she doesn’t find it.

A wise fool who searched his lost ring outside the tent he lived. A passer-by asked him of what he was doing – he said I lost my ring – he asked where? – Inside the tent – then why do you search outside? – Because there is no light inside the tent – he lit a lamp and searched – they found it at the end. People search several things what they lost but not from the place where they lost. It makes them to find is impossible.

The story ends as she searched it with determination – she lit a lamp – sweep the house – searched carefully until she found it. After finding she called her friends and neighbors and celebrated with them (v.9). It is so important that, we have to search the lost possession in the place where we lost it.

Humanity lost several things through the entry of sin. They are possessions given by God Peace, Joy, Love, Patience … etc. Most of the people in the world lost those valuable possessions and trying to find it in drugs, gambling, sex, money, selfish ambitions – they would never find it unless they go back to the place where they lost it. It is the reconciliation with God. Eternal life is a possession that God gave to humanity – it was replaced with death as man sinned against God. God replaces it with life for everyone who finds God (Rom 5:12; 1 Cor. 15:21).

The nature of flesh is evident in Galatians 5:19-21 – a huge list of sinful behaviors which replaced the valuable possessions listed in Galatians 5:22-23. God wants them to be reclaimed – those who live to please the flesh will never enter in to the Kingdom of God (Gal 5:21).

We must reclaim the lost possession of the lost people. The person who is found by God reclaims the natures of the Holy Spirit. Once it is found it gives rejoice to the person and God is pleased as well (v.10)

3.      RECLAIMING THE LOST RELATIONSHIP (VV. 11-32)

Parable of a father and two of his sons – Younger son got his wealth and left the father – he came back and Father runs towards him and accepted him. There was great celebration at the end towards the son who returned back home.

Often the hero of the story is depicted to the younger son – the parable is said to be “Prodigal (Worthless / Waste / Irresponsible) Son” or “Lost Son” or “Repented Son.” The real hero of the story is the Father whose love remains the same regardless of the son’s behavior. The son in the story rebelled against the authority and love of the father. If a Jewish son says these words to the father it means – “You are dead to me – give me my possessions” – the father did not oppose him rather gave what he asked for. Amidst of this when the son returned home – he welcomed him in the long distance – reclaimed the lost relationship – huge celebration was offered on his behalf.

The entire humanity is in rebellion against the Lord of creation. Humanity is created in the image of God – They are called as children of God – became strangers in their rebellion – the relationship is broken – the father is still waiting patiently to reclaim the lost relationship. When someone repents and come back to the father – He receives them as His children not as strangers.

The younger son lost the relationship with his father – the repentance (vv 17-19) – I am no longer worthy to be called as your son but your servant (v.19) – be a hired servant. The relationship is reclaimed because of the love of the father not because of the works of the son. V.20 still he was in long way off… the father runs towards him and accepted him. The work of the Kingdom is reclaiming the human being’s lost relationship with God the Father.

Reclaimed relationship gives us right to call God as our father – From stranger to son (Eph 2:19; Rom 8:15; John 1:12-13; 1 John 3:1). Reclaimed relationship brings joy to the father, as the Kingdom agents we must reclaim the lost relationship of people unto God.

The Pattern of All Three Parables:

·         “Lost state” is not the fault of God

·         God initiates the reclaiming work

·         God works to find the lost

·         God rejoices over the restoration

If it is the work of God, then it is the work of the Kingdom – it is entrusted on everyone who is in the Kingdom. We are carrying on the work of the Father in all above searches – As the representatives of God –we must seek to establish His Kingdom through our works. We must be,

·         Reclaiming the Lost People

·         Reclaiming the Lost Possession

·         Reclaiming the Lost Relationship

May God bless you!