True & Beautiful Things About the Bible--New Testamentનમૂનો

The Gospel of Luke: Seeker of Lost Things

It happened again this morning at a traffic light. A frightened dog runs into the intersection. Her eyes dart frantically, searching for something familiar. She has a collar—someone loves her, but at this moment, she’s on her own, running faster and farther in the wrong direction. The partly-open gate she wanted so badly unlocked a world she never expected.

We do the same thing. We think we want freedom. We push open the gate. We run. Sooner or later, we all get lost.

About the time we realize we made a bad turn, we can’t find our way back. Or we think we won’t be welcomed back.

The beautiful thing is that’s not true. One of Jesus’ favorite ways to describe Himself in the Gospel of Luke was as a shepherd. He said He’ll come after us. He said of Himself, “the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10)

He’s the father who follows his runaway daughter’s trail to the big city on a Greyhound bus. The mother who leaves the porch light on all night for her son and, in the dark, pleads for him at God’s throne. He’s the best friend who follows the clues until he finds you in a place you should never be.

When Jesus told a crowd of people His favorite stories, three had a similar theme. One was about a lady who tore up her house looking for a lost coin. Another was about a shepherd out looking for the missing ewe, and he doesn’t give up until he finds her. Was she over a cliff? Down a ravine? No matter—He goes after her. And the final story was about a lost child–and a father waiting for him. When he catches a glimpse of his son coming home down a long road, he runs to him with open arms.

That’s the picture Jesus painted of His own love. . . just in case anyone in the crowd was far from home. He’s out there looking for those hopelessly lost. He runs into traffic after them.

Just in case you wonder, no, you haven’t run too far. And whatever you’ve done, it’s not too much. His love for you is deeper than the ravine you’ve fallen down. Wider than the gap between this life and the beautiful life He wants you to have, and longer than any time you’ve been away.

Just turn around. He’s calling your name.

Next: Let’s go back to the beginning