Land of the Lost

In Luke chapter 15, there is a trio of parables that all say essentially the same thing, revealing God's attitude of the lost. For Jesus to repeat this point three times over indicates that he wants to emphasize the vast importance of this teaching. A detail that somehow seems to be overlooked by many in the church, which seems to have been exaggerated by recent events. Since there seems to be much contempt for the lost. After a bit of prayer on the problem, this is what came to me.

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 15:7

In each of these parables of, the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son; there is a relationship between the lost and the one who suffered the loss. Keep in mind these examples where told to an agricultural society that had far stronger community ties than we have today. They knew very little of what happened outside their city. As opposed to today in the Information Age, where we know about every dramatic tragedy on the planet. (At least we think we do.) Yet we have no idea of what's going on across the street. While it's always happening in somebodies backyard, but much of this contempt we see is coming from people who are hundreds of miles away, expressing anger at faceless individuals. It's rather easy to be cold and indifferent of people where there is such a wide disconnect, and no real relationship. Is that a valid excuse though? Misguided as they may be, they are still God's children. That should be a source of grief for a disciple, not contempt.

Now consider the second son in the third parable. He is quick to show contempt for his brother, judging him for his past. Demanding that it should be all about him and not the prodigal, despite his repentance. Refusing to offer his brother any grace, and I dare say he would have preferred to see him punished for his wasteful actions. Is this not a dead on portrayal of the attitude of the lost right now? Is this not a call to be more Christ like to the lost?

Notice that the father in the parable of the lost son makes no attempt to stop his son from making the wrong choice. So unlike how overprotective earthly parents act. Yet, because the father handled it this way, the wasteful son couldn't point the finger at the father's lack of acceptance, so he had nobody to blame but himself for his situation. Not only that, since the father did not burn that emotional bridge by trying to control his son, the son felt free to come back once he realized the consequences of his own choices. However, has not the church universal burned that proverbial bridge when it comes to the lost by being so contemptuous of their choices? Someone even once told me that they felt like Christians live on the other side of a vast uncrossable cavern. Is this not a big part of the reason people are forsaking the church right now? Has the church only made these issues worse by being so judgmental? What would the Heavenly Father have to say about our attitude, and the harm it's done his church?

Lastly, are we putting our eternal lives at risk by forsaking God's lost sheep, and shutting the door to the kingdom in their faces?

But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’* is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. - Matthew 5:22

*An Aramaic term of contempt


“Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.” -Luke 11:52