Get Found

Luke 15:10 – “Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Luke 15 has three of the most powerful and beloved stories of the Bible. Jesus tells three parables in which a character has lost something valuable: a lamb, a coin, and a son. In each case, the person who lost the items seeks to find it. The first two are found by the efforts of the owner. As a free agent, the runaway Prodigal Son chose to come home, but there is no doubt his father was looking for him: “While he was still a long way off, his father saw him.” (15:20).

We have all lost something valuable. We understand the desire to celebrate after finding a lost car key or wallet after almost giving up in the midst of an arduous search. When we realize Jesus is talking about people and how happy God is when one who was lost is found, we can get a sense of the importance of finding those who are “lost.” Yet, how many of us are willing to admit we are lost?

In the days before smart phones and their GPS functions, most of us men would rather drive in circles then stop and ask for directions. Doing so meant admitting we were “lost.” Yet, unless we saw a sign we had missed somewhere or pulled out a map, we would remain lost until we admitted we needed help from one who could help us find the way to where we needed to go.

Jesus ended the first two parables in Luke 15 by describing the joy over “one sinner who repents.” Repentance is not a popular word or idea these days, but it is the only way to get found. Until we admit we are lost and want to be found, we will stay driving in circles forever, ending life far away from God and heaven. The Prodigal Son himself repents in the middle of the story when he returns to his father and says, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” (Luke 15:21) This is what it means to repent: “I sinned (messed up). I am not worthy to be forgiven, but I have come back to you anyway. Please take me in.” These are the words that our eternal Father longs to hear from each of us more than any others. Please stop driving in circles. Admit you are lost, and our Father will guide you home.