Found!

“What man, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one, does not leave the ninety-nine… and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?.. Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it?..

“A man had two sons. The younger said, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them… The younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living…

“But when he came to himself,.. he arose and came to his father… [who] saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. The son said, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The father said,.. ‘Let us celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found…’” Luke 15:4,8,11-13,17a,20-24

The story of the prodigal son often focuses on the change of heart and return of the wayward man, yet Jesus who tells the parable precedes it with two others about lost objects that highlight the individual who does the finding. The One orchestrating the search, pursuing, the Rescuer, is the One to be trusted and praised. By very definition of the word, none is found who has not been sought. Being found is never of man’s own doing.

Man’s volition is a gift exercised under God’s sovereignty. The mystery of divine pursuit and free will exercised is reconciled within the majesty of grace. Sheep wander, coins roll, and man left to himself makes a waste of life. Our inherited penchant to sin is irreversibly ingrained. But God. The Lord Almighty focuses the heavenly eye, sets affection, woos the heart, awakens conviction. He who created senses brings man to his own. Any response of faith is His gracious gift too, all praise to Him. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

We might boast of good choices and robust faith, but we cannot brag about being found. No positioning or effort of ours attracts the Lord to us and wins His heart. It is despite our enemy nature, against our rebellion, that He moves toward us. Love is His majestic essence, redeeming pursuit His merciful initiative, salvation His wondrous gift. Shall we not bow? (Romans 5:6-11; Ephesians 2:1-7)

Do we think too highly of ourselves and too little of the Lord Jesus? How do we speak and behave as though we are equals, each contributing our part to achieve salvation? Would we take time to meditate on I was dead and am alive, was lost and am found, and worship? How will I live out, with word and deed, my identity as Christ’s beloved, rejoiced-over, saved child, as an example to others? (Romans 12:3; 1 Peter 1:18-21)

“Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free;
I rose, went forth and followed Thee.

Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me!” ~Charles Wesley (1738)

Good Father, keep me grateful always that You found me, and humble before Your amazing love and grace.