“Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, ‘This man receives sinners and eats with them.’ So he told them this parable: ‘What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.'” Luke 15:1-7 (ESV)
The Scripture above is of vital importance to you. Jesus is showing you many things about Himself in this passage. Whatever you may think about Jesus Christ today, please take a moment and consider what Jesus is telling you about His love for sinners like you and me. Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd who is still seeking and saving the lost today. What if you are one that Jesus is pursuing?
Jesus Actively Pursues Sinners
Sheep are naturally wayward creatures. Sheep tend to wander away from their shepherd and all the provision and protection of their shepherd. That describes human beings, as well. We willingly wander away from God’s intended designs for mankind. We sin against Him by disobeying that which we inherently know is true and right.
“For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.”- Romans 1:19-22 (ESV)
We also sin against God by disobeying what He explicitly declares in His Word, the Bible. Clearly, Jesus’ point is that human beings are like sheep with this one notable and horrible exception: Sheep do not run away in rebellion from their shepherd, but human beings do…They rebel against God. Dear reader, be honest with yourself…Too often you have desired to be free of God’s rightful claims upon your life as your Creator. Like the shepherd in His parable, Jesus does not wait for the sheep to find their way back. No, Jesus Christ pursues wandering, sinful people like you and me. What a wonderful Savior! Despite the sinner’s rebellion, Jesus pursues the sinner until He finds him/her in order to carry him/her back and remain with Him. Like every good shepherd, Jesus is willing to leave those who are not wandering in an effort to reclaim…to rescue…the ONE wayward soul. Even if we do not realize it, every human being is sinful and in need of forgiving rescue by the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ.
Heaven Rejoices Over A Rescued Sinner
Jesus does not only pursue sinners and bring them back. What is striking about Jesus’ parable is the shepherd’s joy over one rescued sheep. Sheep are nothing of value compared to other animals on this earth. They are wayward, they are easily taken by predators, and they require much care in order to keep them well and alive. A few questions must now be considered.
- Why would God send Jesus Christ, His Son, to condescend to this sinful world, to live among His rebellious creatures as one of them, and to die in the place of sinners like you and me in order to rescue them when they are owed nothing but condemnation and punishment for their waywardness?
- Why such joy by Almighty God and all of heaven over the return of a rebellious, wayward person?
- Why is there more joy over the repentance and salvation of a rescued sinner than those whom are already saved?
“Say to them, ‘As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?'” – Ezekiel 33:11 (ESV)
“Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love.” – Micah 7:18 (ESV)
Dear reader, do you see the tender mercies of God? Do you see that God desires fellowship with sinners like you and me? Do you see how God would rather forgive and pardon sins than condemn people for them? God did not become frustrated with the waywardness of sinners. If God wanted justice only, He could render judgment immediately. Rather, He set out to find sinners and reclaim them for Himself in love. Do you see how God chose to punish His own sinless Son, Jesus Christ, instead of sinners like you and me? Why would we ever want to leave this loving Savior again after He has pursued sinners like you and me in love and grace? You and I are not important to God because there is something desirable, attractive, or lovely in us. We can only offer God our sin and nothing more. We can either cast ourselves upon the mercies of God in light of His righteousness, or we can face God on our own with our sin and rebellion still remaining. God set His affections on sinners like us only because He graciously wanted to do so, pursued sinners by sending Jesus Christ to die in the sinner’s place, and purchased their forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus Christ’s work. What a glorious Gospel! What a glorious Savior!
Christ Is Seeking Sinners – Do You Want To Be Found By Him?
Jesus Christ is still seeking sinners like you and me. He is still the Good Shepherd seeking and saving the lost. Dear reader, here is the question…Are you ready and willing to be rescued by Jesus Christ? Do you see your great need of rescue because of your sin and the coming day of judgment? Today is still the day of salvation. Do not be like Adam and Eve who hid themselves from God’s presence. Rather, run to Christ in repentance from your sins and turn in faith to Him. Then, all of heaven will rejoice with the Good Shepherd over you, a lost sheep, returning to the fold of God.
May Your Eyes Be Opened To Your Need of Christ,
Eric Conner
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