When we look at Jesus’ ministry, one thing becomes crystal clear: His heart beats for those who are lost.
Through four powerful parables, Jesus reveals not only God’s passionate love for the lost but also calls us
to share that same heart. These stories challenge us to examine our own attitudes and actions toward those who don’t yet know God.
What Does the Parable of the Lost Sheep Teach Us?
In Luke 15:1-7, Jesus tells the story of a shepherd who leaves 99 sheep to find one that’s lost. The religious leaders were criticizing Jesus for eating with tax collectors and sinners, but Jesus used this moment to teach a profound truth. The lost sheep represents someone who doesn’t know God – someone without that life-saving relationship with Him. But notice something important: Jesus says “suppose one of you” had 100 sheep. He’s not just talking about God as the shepherd; He’s talking about us.
Our Role as Shepherds
When we encounter someone who is lost spiritually, it becomes our job to go find them and show them the truth. If we truly have the heart of God, then we must have a heart for the lost, because that’s where His heart is. The Pharisees should have been out looking for the lost instead of shunning them. Instead of saying “stay away,” they should have been embracing the lost, not criticizing Jesus for doing exactly what they should have been doing.
Jesus’ Ministry Was for the Lost
Jesus made His mission clear in Luke 5:31-32: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have
not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” And in Luke 19:10: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
If His ministry was for the lost, then our ministry must include seeking the lost and sharing the good news
with them. We are ambassadors of Christ, and we need to be doing what’s in the Father’s heart.
What Can We Learn from the Parable of the Lost Coin?
In Luke 15:8-10, Jesus tells of a woman who loses one of her ten silver coins. Notice the effort
she takes to find it – she lights a lamp, sweeps the house, and searches carefully until she finds it.
Bringing Light into Darkness
The first thing the woman does is bring light into the situation. According to 2 Corinthians 4:4-6,
“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the light of the
gospel.” We need to bring Jesus, who is the light of the world, into dark situations to help people
see the truth.
The Work Required
The woman swept every nook and cranny to find that coin. This shows us that finding the lost is
going to take work and effort on our part. We have to be very intentional about it – it won’t just
happen automatically.
Most importantly, she doesn’t give up until she finds it. Galatians 6:9 reminds us: “Let us not
become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
What About Those Who Wander Away?
Sometimes people who are already saved can wander away from their faith. Jesus addresses this in
Matthew 18:12-14, telling of a shepherd who leaves 99 sheep to find one that has wandered off.
We all have a tendency to wander, and we have an enemy who wants to deceive us. False teachers and
destructive heresies can lead people astray. But this parable shows us the effort God will go
through to bring us back, because He loves us that much.
James 5:19-20 tells us: “If one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that
person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their ways will save them from
death and cover over a multitude of sins.”
Why Do Some Christians Get Frustrated with God’s Grace?
The parable of the workers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16) addresses a different issue – the attitude of
those who are already saved toward those who come to faith later in life.
In this story, workers hired at different times throughout the day all receive the same payment – a denarius, representing our salvation. Some who worked all day were frustrated that those who worked only one hour received the same wage.
Salvation is NOT Based on Works
This parable reminds us that our salvation isn’t based on how much time we work or how much effort we
put in. Our salvation comes from faith in Jesus Christ, as Romans 10:9-10 explains.
But some Christians can become frustrated, thinking it’s unfair that people who’ve done very little get the
same reward as those who’ve worked hard their whole lives. This attitude is not the heart of God – it’s the
heart of Jonah.
Don’t Be Like Jonah
Jonah was angry when God showed mercy to Nineveh after they repented. He cared more about looking
right than about the salvation of thousands of people. God’s heart is for everyone to be saved, as 1 Timothy 2:3-4 tells us: “This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
What Rewards Await Those Who Serve?
While we all receive the same salvation, we will be rewarded for our work. James 1:12 speaks of receiving
“The crown of life,” and 1 Peter 5:4 mentions “the crown of glory that will never fade away.”
But perhaps the greatest reward will be seeing all the souls in heaven that we got to play even a small part in bringing there. Imagine walking the streets of gold and having person after person thank you for your role in their salvation – whether through teaching, giving, praying, or simply showing Christ’s love.
Life Application
This week, challenge yourself to actively seek out someone who is lost or wandering. Bring the light of
Jesus into their situation through your words and actions. Don’t give up on people you’ve been praying for keep pursuing them with the same persistence as the woman searching for her lost coin.
Remember that finding the lost requires intentional effort. It won’t happen by accident. Be willing to do the work, carry the burden, and rejoice when souls are saved.
Ask yourself these questions:
- Do I truly have God’s heart for the lost, or do I tend to avoid or judge those who don’t know Him?
- Am I willing to put in the effort required to reach someone who is spiritually lost?
- Have I been frustrated with God’s grace toward others, like the workers in the vineyard or like Jonah?
- Who in my life needs me to be their shepherd, bringing them back to the fold or to Jesus for the first
time?
God’s heart beats for the lost, and if we claim to follow Him, our hearts should beat with the same rhythm. The reward – both in this life and the next – will be immeasurable.