The religious leaders of the day had a serious problem. They could not understand Jesus. They continually asked Him, “Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?” They could not comprehend why He would fellowship with unbelievers. They probably were concerned that the attitudes and actions of the sinner would rub off on them. This was not an issue for the Lord Jesus. He was impervious to their negative influence. He brought light into the darkness, not the other way around. And Jesus had something the Scribes and Pharisees lacked- compassion for the lost.
So why did He eat with tax collectors and sinners?
· “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” (Lk 5:30-32, NASB95)
· “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Lk 19:7-10, NASB95)
· When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. (Mt 9:36, ESV)
Jesus answers their questions with a beautiful three-part parable:
1. The shepherd left the ninety-nine to search for the one which was lost. There was great rejoicing when it was found.
“I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. (Lk 15:7, NASB95)
2. The woman who has misplaced her silver coin searches diligently until she finds it.
“Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? Lk 15:8, NASB95)
3. When the lost son returns to the father, he is welcomed back with a great celebration.
“But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate. (Lk 15:22-24, NASB95)
If we follow in the footsteps of the Lord Jesus Christ, we will also show compassion for the lost. We too will make it a priority to “seek and save that which was lost.”
But seeking the lost is no mere human endeavor. It is profoundly spiritual. Prayer plays a key role. Lewis Sperry Chafer put it well:
“Talk to God about men, then talk to men about God.”
As a young Christian I learned the value of keeping a "Most Wanted List". For much of my life I have kept a short list of 5-10 people on a slip of paper in my bible. These are the people the Lord has laid on my heart. I pray they will come to Christ. It's not for health issues, financial, or family concerns. There are other lists for those things. It is for one thing only, that the Lord would draw these folks to Himself. The list changes over time. Some come to Christ and are crossed off. New ones are added. Some have stayed on the list a long time.
Make your list
Of course you will want to include those you are actively witnessing to, but don't be limited by these. Ask the Lord who should be on your list. Let Him bring people to mind.
Begin praying…
1. For God to draw them to Himself "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him . . . " (John 6:44).
2. That they would seek to know God "But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul" (Deuteronomy 4:29).
3. For them to believe the Scriptures " . . . faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ" (Romans 10:17).
4. That Satan would be prevented from blinding them to the truth "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God" (2 Corinthians 4:4).
5. For the Holy Spirit to work in them "When he [the Holy Spirit] comes he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness . . . But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth" (John 16:8,13).
-adapted from Discipleship Journal, Issue 34, 1986.
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