A Heart for the Lost (by Cathe Laurie)

“Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:7 ESV).

C.S. Lewis once wrote in his essay, The Weight of Glory:

“There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal.

Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations—these are mortal . . . It is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit.”

Sometimes We Care to Deeply About the Way We Look 

It’s easy to find “our people”—you know, our “crew.” You agree on most issues. You come from similar backgrounds or at least have come to the same point of view and way that you operate. You understand each other without having to try too hard. You see each other frequently and know there won’t be an issue.

Sometimes, our “crew” begins to define us and our image. We perfectly curate our group to showcase the best of ourselves. We connect ourselves with people who can elevate our image and bring us to a higher social status. We know that if others see us with them, they’ll be impressed and will never question our life and faith.

Like the Pharisees, We Can Miss the Point

The Pharisees in Jesus’ time had fallen into this trap. While they were busy proving their importance, the people who knew they were broken were gathering around Jesus.

“Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, ‘This man receives sinners and eats with them’” (Luke 15:1–2 ESV).

The Pharisees were worried about their image. They looked down on Jesus for communing with those they considered “less than.”

Jesus’ Response to the Pharisees

In response, Jesus tells three stories: the lost sheep, the lost coin, the lost son.

A shepherd has 100 sheep. One wanders off. He leaves the 99 and goes searching.

A woman has 10 precious coins. She loses one. She lights a lamp, sweeps the house, and searches carefully.

A father has 2 sons. One runs away and wastes everything. But before he even reaches home, his father runs to meet him.

Every Person Is Precious in God’s Eyes

Each of these stories proves the same point: Every person matters. Enough for a shepherd to search. Enough for a woman to sweep the house. Enough for a father to run down the road.

The lost one isn’t an inconvenience; they’re the whole itinerary.

Are We Thinking Like the Pharisees or Jesus?

Do we see others with that heart of Jesus?

It’s easy to get comfortable in our groups. It’s easy to only invite those we know “fit in.” It’s easy to maintain our little bubble. But are we searching for the lost? Are we finding those who are struggling? Are we offering invitations to those who are different from us?

How to Be More Like Jesus

Invite someone to church. Offer a helping hand. Cook someone a meal. Seek people out in the darker places of the world.

Make the lost one the whole itinerary, just as Jesus would do.

Lord, grant us Your heart for the hurting and Your eye for the lost. Help us to reach them through Your love and bring them home to You. Let us not be caught up in our comfort and convenience, but lay down our lives for those who need You.

Get these articles in your inbox!

—

Cathe Laurie is the founder and director of the Virtue women’s ministry. She is also a featured speaker on The Virtue Podcast, at Harvest events, and the author of As I See It. You can find her weekly articles here on harvest.org.