God Yearns for the Lost

MEMORY VERSE: “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” —Luke 19:10

LUKE 15:11-24

IN THE Parable of the Prodigal on we have a beautiful illustration of our Heavenly Father’s love on behalf of his erring children. It has been suggested that the immediate intent of the parable was to point up two classes within the nation of Israel—the religious ruling class, which professed great faith in God and loyalty to him, and the publicans and sinners, who had drifted away from God and from their covenant relationship with him through the Law given at Sinai.

But in principle the parable also has a much wider application. By nature all are sinners whether they realize it or not. Since Pentecost, the way to approach God is through faith in Christ and a dedication of oneself to do the Heavenly Father’s will, just as the prodigal in the parable offered to serve his Father.

But it requires honesty of heart for one to recognize his undone condition. Of the prodigal the parable states that “he came to himself,” meaning that he realized the course he was taking was a foolish one, and that the only wise procedure was to return to his father and throw himself upon his mercy. God requires this honesty in recognizing and confessing our need. The evidence of this true repentance is manifested by the full dedication of ourselves to do the Father’s will. On the basis of this presentation of ourselves to the Father, he receives us into his family and covers us with the robe of Christ’s righteousness.

The prodigal son of the parable, when first leaving home, was haughty and high-minded. He had his share of his father’s estate and felt self-sufficient. It was not until he was overtaken by adversity and was facing death by starvation that he “came to himself” and realized how much he needed his father’s help. In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks of the blessedness of those who are “poor in spirit” and of those who “hunger and thirst after righteousness” These are the counterpart of the prodigal.

However, it is possible to be “poor in spirit” and yet possess much of this world’s goods. Poverty of the spirit is a state in which one realizes that he needs more than material food and clothing—that he needs spiritual food and guidance. Thus he hungers and thirsts for righteousness and for God. This is an attitude that is essential in approaching God, and it is an attitude that must be maintained throughout one’s entire life of serving God.

The majority who accept God’s favor and become his children are from the prodigal class. There are others in the world who are self-satisfied and unwilling to accept the grace of God through Christ or to confess the need of any covering for their blemishes. This is usually true of the well-to-do, but it is not infrequently that the poor of this world are haughty and proud in their minds and hearts. Jesus’ invitation is, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28) Only those who realize that they are heavy laden so far as their minds and hearts are concerned hear and respond to this invitation.

The position of the sinful and the weak is well portrayed in this parable, and a wonderful assurance is given that if and when they return to God in full repentance and consecration they will be received into his family. The prodigal son was confident that his father would receive him, for he knew his father. Only those who learn to know the Heavenly Father through his Word can have the assurance that he will receive them and take them into his family if they go to him in the spirit of true repentance and surrender to do his will.

Our memory text is an interesting one. The same expression is used in Matthew 18:11, and introduces the Parable of the Lost Sheep. In this latter parable ninety-nine sheep are safe in the fold, but one has gone astray—is “lost.” It has been suggested that the ninety-nine sheep represent all the various intelligent creations of God on the spirit planes of existence who have not strayed away from him, and that the “lost sheep” represents the human race. It is true that Jesus did come to save the lost race from sin and death. Through his death he became the Redeemer and Savior of the world of mankind, the lost sheep. This manifested the love of both the Father and the Son.

QUESTIONS

What was the immediate lesson taught by the Parable of the Prodigal Son?

Explain how, in principle, the lessons of the parable have been working out ever since Pentecost.

Who are the “lost” ones of our memory verse, and how does Jesus save them?

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