Lost and Found

Luke 15

Here are the stories of three lost things: a sheep, a coin and a son. We are admonished to not give up on them, for the Lord never does.

1. Lost Sheep - 1 of 100

This sheep wandered off. The Shepherd was its pastor.

The Shepherd left the fold to find and retrieve this one sheep. He put him on his shoulders, brought him back to the fold, called the friends and neighbors and there was rejoicing. There is joy in heaven over one sinner that repents.

2. Lost Coin - 1 of 10

This coin fell off. The lady was its church.

The lady lit a candle, swept the house and sought diligently. When she found it, she called her friends and neighbors and rejoiced. There is joy in heaven over one sinner that repents.

3. Lost Son - 1 of only 2

This son ran off. The Father is the Lord.

The Father waited (and prayed and longed). His Father ran to him, had compassion, hugged him and kissed him. He clothed him in the best robe (heaven's righteousness), put a ring on his hand (baptism, identification), put shoes on his feet (the preparation of the gospel), killed the fatted calf (abundant provision), threw a party (joy of the abiding life). Heaven and earth rejoiced (all except the elder brother).

We see that God places a premium on the individual. None are to fall between the cracks, be neglected or forgotten. Great effort is to be expended to bring the lost one home. Rejoicing is called for when the lost is found. Are you lost? Come home. Are you weeping over the erring one? Make the effort to go out and bring them home.

Hark! ’tis the Shepherd’s voice I hear,
Out in the desert dark and drear,
Calling the sheep who’ve gone astray,
Far from the Shepherd’s fold away.

Bring them in, bring them in,
Bring them in from the fields of sin;
Bring them in, bring them in,
Bring the wand’ring ones to Jesus.

Who’ll go and help this Shepherd kind,
Help Him the wand’ring ones to find?
Who’ll bring the lost ones to the fold,
Where they’ll be sheltered from the cold?

Out in the desert hear their cry,
Out on the mountain, wild and high;
Hark! ’tis the Master, speaks to thee,
“Go, find My sheep where’er they be.”