A Church for Others | God Seeks the Lost
Series: Simple. Quiet. Present. | Bible text: Luke 19:10
Jesus seeks out and saves people who are lost – regardless of what others think of them. His love is not only for those who already belong to him, but especially for those who are still far from him. As his followers, we are invited to share this attitude of heart: not to look upon others with envy or self-righteousness, but to rejoice wholeheartedly when people are found by Jesus. For our own story, too, is one of God seeking us, finding us and saving us.
Today we are launching a new three-part series entitled «The Church for Others». We want to reflect together on the Church’s core mission. By ‘Church’, I mean the community of Jesus’ followers, rather than a building.
God seeks out and saves what is lost
Jesus causes offence in various ways through his life and teachings. Among other things, this is due to his statements on how one should live, his criticism of the religiously self-righteous and hypocrites, his condemnation of misinterpretations of God’s commandments, and the fact that he associates with the ‘wrong’ sort of people. The series therefore also focuses on those who do not yet belong to this community.
The passage introduces us to two categories of people. On the one hand, there are the tax collectors and others who are regarded as sinners. Tax collectors are generally wealthy, successful people, yet they are despised both religiously and socially. They pursue an occupation that is frowned upon. Their aim is to become rich at any cost. Those regarded as sinners are people who live in a state of moral failure. It is obvious that they are doing something wrong. Yet this label comes from outside. It is the accusers who call them sinners. The accusers criticise Jesus above all for his behaviour. Jesus eats with them! He therefore shares a very intimate fellowship with them.
It is God’s heartfelt desire to seek out what is lost. A few chapters later, Jesus invites himself to a tax collector’s house for a meal (Luke 19:1–10). Here, too, he is criticised for it. Yet his response is very firm: «For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost» (Luke 19:10 NLB). This is what is closest to God’s heart! That is why he sent his Son, Jesus Christ, into the world. The aim is for those who do not yet belong to join in.
A church for others means that the church cares for those who are lost. It is God’s deepest desire that people should come to him and enter into a relationship with him. «This is good and pleases God, our Saviour. He wants everyone to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is only one God and only one mediator between God and humankind: Christ Jesus, who became human. He gave his life to redeem all people. This is the message that God gave to the world when the time had come.» (1 Timothy 2:3–6 NLB).
The envious part of me!
Back to Jesus’ parable. «Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until he finds it?» (Luke 15:4 NGÜ). Have you noticed anything? There is a difference compared with the text in the reading. The Neues Leben Bible states that a sheep gets lost in the desert. Yet most translations say that the ninety-nine are left behind in the desert or on the steppe. This is not simply a safe place. But that one sheep is so important to the shepherd that he leaves the others behind.
The other ninety-nine are the sheep who think they are safe, but are actually in the desert too! Jesus’ parable does not suggest that the ninety-nine do not need to repent, but rather that they have not realised it! The desert is not a safe place! The only difference between this one sheep and the others is that it has gone astray!
Here’s a provocative statement for all those who (supposedly) already belong to the herd. «In the same way, there is greater joy in heaven over one lost sinner who returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and have never strayed from the path in the first place!» (Luke 15:7 NLB). But be careful: Jesus is not confirming here that these ninety-nine are in fact righteous and have no need to repent. Rather, he is addressing the religious leaders’ perception of themselves. They are certain that they do not belong to the category of sinners. They do everything right and know what is right and wrong. They are well versed in God’s commandments. But all that would still be tolerable. The worst thing is that they do not realise that they need God and that he is coming to them! Their underlying attitude is that God is only allowed to take pleasure in them.
You know what? I’m often one of the ninety-nine sheep left behind in the desert! I know this thought all too well: I’m missing out. Or something is being taken away from me. How quickly I forget that every person was once in the position of being lost! Yet I, too, am completely dependent on the Good Shepherd! I must keep reminding myself time and again: «We, too, were once ignorant and disobedient. We allowed ourselves to be led astray and became slaves to many desires and passions. Our lives were full of wickedness and envy. We hated others, and they hated us. But then God, our Saviour, showed us his kindness and love. He saved us, not because of our good deeds, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins and gave us new life through the Holy Spirit. Through what Jesus Christ, our Saviour, has done for us, he has given us the Holy Spirit. In his great kindness, he has forgiven our sins. Now we know that we will inherit eternal life!» (Titus 3:3–7 NLB). Once I have grasped this, I can join in celebrating what God is doing with great joy, without contempt or accusations of guilt, but full of forgiveness and great love. I need not fear being left out.
From my story to joy!
How does the shepherd react when he finds the lost sheep? «And then he would carry it home on his shoulders, full of joy. Back home, he would call together all his friends and neighbours so that they might rejoice with him that he had found his lost sheep. In the same way, there is joy in heaven over a lost sinner who returns to God […]» (Luke 15:5–7 NLB).
This has two meanings. For people who do not yet have a relationship with Jesus, it is an invitation: ‘You are so important to me that I am seeking you out and carrying you. You do not have to struggle.’ You are important enough to me that I’ll leave the ninety-nine behind! For followers of Jesus, it is an invitation: Rejoice with me! Is there anything more wonderful than when people turn to the Lord and now belong too?
In the Lord’s Prayer, we pray: «Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.» When someone chooses to live a life with Jesus Christ, this is in accordance with the will of the Father in heaven! In heaven, there is a great celebration for every person who turns to Him! Here is an invitation to you: you don’t have to stand on the sidelines and feel left out. You are invited to join in the celebration!
How can this desire to share in others’ joy grow within me? By keeping my own story in mind! When something touches you personally, it becomes a matter close to your heart. I’d like to illustrate this with an example. I generally always enjoy weddings. But when my younger sister got married three weeks ago, it was even more special! The personal connection made everything feel so much more real to me. I was able to help choose the dress, and we’re very much on the same wavelength in many ways. At the wedding itself, I was reminded of my own wedding five years ago and was able to share in the joy wholeheartedly.
So how do I become someone who rejoices and celebrates with others? The salvation of the lost is your story and mine! Can you remember how you were found by Jesus? If you come from a Christian home, this question is often harder to answer. But: God doesn’t have grandchildren, only children! Usually, there isn’t a specific moment of conversion, because there’s always been a certain trail of blessings. But it shows itself in and through your life – through many unconscious and a few conscious decisions. Why did you choose Jesus? By the way: There was a huge party for you too – and yes, if it’s like your own wedding, you’re so caught up in the moment that you don’t really take much in. You were the reason for a massive party in heaven!
The challenge when considering a parable is that a parable has a central message, and much is simply left out. The parable does not say that Jesus does not look after the sheep that are with him! The point here is the inner attitude of the ninety-nine sheep. The flock of all the sheep that have been found is not mentioned here at all. Jesus Christ himself says: «I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep» (John 10:11 NLB).
He himself sets an example of what a good shepherd is. As his sheep, you matter to Jesus Christ! He defends you, cares for you and is there for you! At the same time, however, he is also concerned about and searching for the lost sheep! You, too, were one of them before you entered into a relationship with him.
Possible questions for the small group
Read the Bible text: Luke 15:1–7
- What does the parable of the lost sheep mean to you? Is there anything in it that particularly speaks to you or challenges you?
- Jesus seeks out and saves people who are lost. What does this tell us about God’s heart and His attitude towards people who do not yet have a relationship with Him?
- The envious side of me: Do you know that feeling of being left out when people who weren’t part of Jesus’ community before suddenly take centre stage or receive special attention? Where do you come across this attitude?
- The Ninety-Nine Sheep: Why is it sometimes easier for us to focus on the faults of others than to recognise our own need for God?
- Our own story: Can you remember how Jesus sought you out, found you and saved you? What does it mean to you today that you yourself were once one of the lost?
- Rejoice with them rather than being envious: What helps you to rejoice wholeheartedly when people come to know Jesus and choose to live a life with him?
- Church for others: Are there people in your circle who do not yet know Jesus? What might be a practical next step you could take to reach out to them with the love and compassion of Jesus?
