6 Apr, 2011
In Search of the Lost
On May 31, 2009 an Airbus, bound for Paris, France, and filled with 216 passengers and 12 crew members took off from Rio de Janeiro. Sadly, the aircraft never made it to it's destination. Mysteriously, the plane was lost somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean on June 1, 2009. Just a few days after air traffic controllers' last communication with the plane, two bodies were found floating, among debris, in the Atlantic. Despite numerous search efforts, little more was discovered and the plane could not be found. According to Wikipedia, "French Navy spokesperson Hugues du Plessis d'Argentre described the task of finding the devices as 'trying to find a shoe box in an area the size of Paris, at a depth of 3,000 m (9,800 ft) and in a terrain as rugged as the Alps,' cautioning that there is no guarantee the data recorders would be recovered." Evenstill, Airbus (the manufacturer of the plane) and Air France (the airline the flew the plane) refused to give up on their search for the lost aircraft, and the individuals whose lives were lost that day. Recently, the team began a new search for the aircraft and within a few days, on April 3, 2011, they pinpointed the exact location of the wreckage. It seems as though they will stop at nothing to get answers to the cause of this tragedy. So far, the two companies have spent more than $28 million dollars in efforts to find and recover the wreckage. The current search for answers has already cost them $12.5 million.
(See: Wikipedia and www.travelagentcentral.com, photo courtesy of Wikipedia)
Luke 15:1-7
Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him. Both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them."
So He told them this parable, saying, "What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? "When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. "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 which was lost!' "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.
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about God's pursuit of the lost?
Scripture is filled with stories, parables, and illustrations of the ways in which God is continually pursuing His children. In today's God Story scripture, The Parable of the Lost Sheep, Christ teaches about God's pursuit and rescuing of those who have strayed from Him. We don't know why the sheep is lost (whether he strayed away, or if he refused to follow where the shepherd led the herd), I think because it isn't really important. The point of the story is that the sheep was lost, he was missed, and the shepherd loved him enough that he was willing to risk everything to find him and bring him back.
Where do you find yourself in this story?
Are you like the Pharisees? Judging others, thinking about all the ways you're better (or more spiritual) than those around you, or grumbling because someone else is getting all of the attention you think you should be receiving? If this is you, you've replaced your love for Christ with a love for self. Repent. Be honest with God about your heart (He already knows it!) and how it's been hardened. Pray and ask God to replace your judgments and pride with love and concern for others. Pray (daily) that you would begin to see others through Christ's eyes so that you can love them as He does.
Are you the lost sheep? Have you strayed away from God and His plan for your life, thinking your way is better, only to find yourself wandering alone, in unfamiliar territory, wondering where to go next? You may not even know how you got here, but you know you're lost, and you know you're in need of rescue. If this is you, stop. Whatever direction you're heading, stop, and look for God. He's there. He's pursuing you, and He wants to rescue you. Pray for God to reveal Himself to you and make His voice clear. Repent - admit your faults and failures (He already knows!) and surrender yourself to God. Allow Him to change your heart and bring you back to Him.
Are you one of the 99? You've been following God, staying close to Him, and trying your best to listen and follow where He leads you. If this is you, thank God for His grace and the way He's protected you, your heart, and your life. Continue to seek Him and pray daily that His voice would remain clear, amidst the distractions and busyness of life, so that you will not stray or choose to go your own way.
How can I connect today's story, God's Story scripture, and my story to others?
No matter where you find yourself relating to today's story, don't be afraid to be honest with others and share how God has used these stories to touch your heart and to begin to change you. Share the story of the Air France flight that went down and the way both Air France and AirBus are doing whatever they can to find and recover the lost aircraft. Use it to start a conversation about Luke 15 and the way in which God pursues His children. Remind your friends that the reason we are lost doesn't matter, it's not the point of the story, and that even though others (like the Pharisees, in this story) may judge and condemn their actions, Jesus does not. Pray that God's Word will penetrate and change the hearts of your friends.
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