to know me is to love me???

September 9, 2010

to know me is to love me???

Luke 15:1-10

Denny Slaton

Central Truth

Jesus was so winsome that sinners were drawn to him.

"Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him." (Luke 15:1)

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

3 So he told them this parable: 4 “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? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 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.’ 7 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.

The Parable of the Lost Coin

8 Or what woman, having ten silver coins,^{1

15:8
Greek ten drachmas; a drachma was a Greek coin approximately equal in value to a Roman denarius, worth about a day's wage for a laborer} if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Footnotes

[1] 15:8 Greek ten drachmas; a drachma was a Greek coin approximately equal in value to a Roman denarius, worth about a day's wage for a laborer

Jesus was a magnet. The last, the least, those who were deemed outcasts were drawn to Him. In His day those were the tax collectors and prostitutes. Each of them came "near Him to listen to Him" (Luke 15:1). They were not afraid of His judgment (the response they received from the Pharisees and scribes). These sinners could see that they mattered to Christ. He recognized the individual, loved each one, and didn't focus on their sin.

Reading of how comfortable those far from God were around Jesus challenges me. Am I so approachable, so winsome, that those far from Christ seek me out and want to hear what I have to say? Do they feel that comfortable in my presence? Loved THAT unconditionally? Do I treat each as individuals loved by God, not focusing on their sin?

Recently, I read a book called Hope Lives about poverty. I found the following truth astounding: "One of the great harms of poverty isn't physical, it is eternal, for it teaches souls who have never known Christ’s love that they don’t matter." I think the same case can be made for anyone who is far from God, just like the tax collectors and sinners in Jesus’ day. We see in the snapshot of Jesus' life, as well as the parables He tells, that individuals matter.

Again, I am challenged to look at my life and question whether I really care about those that Jesus loves—those who are seemingly invisible, the ones who feel that they don't matter. If so, would they be drawn to me? If they were, would I have anything to say that might make a difference in their lives? Would I speak my own words, or Jesus' words of life? My guess is that if I lived my life the way Jesus modeled, I would experience the joy of the shepherd when he found his lost sheep, or the widow when she found her coin. What a celebration would follow!

1. Are you approachable? When was the last time someone sought you out to hear what you had to say?

2. Did you say anything worth hearing? Did you speak truth from God’s word? If not, why not?

3. Do those who come into contact with you realize that they matter to you? To God? If not, why not?

4. What steps can you take today to be purposeful in reaching out to an individual the world considers last, least, or lost?

5. If you find your lost coin or sheep, who will you call to come celebrate with you? Do you have community that spurs you on and celebrates with you?

FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What two things were lost in the parables Jesus told? What did the owners do when they were found?

2. How does Jesus compare this with what happens when people confess their sins and ask for forgiveness from God (verses 7 & 10)?

3. Have you accepted Jesus’ sacrifice for your sins?